|
The first settlers arrived in Aphrodisias first during the
Neolithic times, 8000 years ago. These settlements lasted throughout the
chalk-bronze-copper and iron times. In actuality, the hill on which the antique
theater rests is a collection of those times. The Pekmez Hill, just West of
here, was situated in the city where one of the later civilizations has started,
and also presented one of the prehistoric settlements. According
the Byzantine historian Stephanus, Aphrodisias was first called Lelgonopolis,
then Mega polis, and then named after the Asyrian King Ninos, when it finally
tock the name Ninoi. It was during these times when the Goddess of Love came to
Aphrodisias. After the Mederian and Babylonians had destroyed the Asyrians'
cities, they brought the cult of the Mesopotamian Goddess of Love Isthar to this
region.Although this theory used to be a saga, it has become a proven thesis
since the findings of the remains of Aphrodisians.
Within a large basilica, dear iIIustrations of the popular wife
of King Ninos were found. The first documents found about Aphrodisias can be
found in the book of Aphrodisian Apollonius, in which he wrote about Karien 300
BC. 200 AD Aphrodisias forrned an agreement with a neighboring city Plarasa
(Bingee Köyü), in which they printed coins together. Although the founding
shows, that there had been settlements before those times, we can say that
Aphrodisias as a city first appeared 100 BC. Then, 82 BC, the roman General
Sulla sent a golden crown as well as an axe to the Aphrodite temple as a present
This fa demonstrates that during the Roman Empire, Anatolia had gained a very
important role.
Further findings of writings out of these times teli us about
two Aphrodisians, who had been rewarded by so many other cities, because they
went to Rome to protest against the oppressing of Asians (in the old times,
Anatolia was also called Asia) by the Roman tax officials. 39-35 BC, Marcus
Antonius accepted Aphrodisias and Plarasa to be free of tax for the Roman
Empire. 30 BC, Aphrodisias becan.J a rich and famous city with the beginning of
the Roman Empire. During the Byzantine Empire, Christianity was not able to
completely rule this dty. Paganism, the belief on more than one Gad, was still
being practices in several areas. Then, after Christianity was able to lake over
completely, all the beautiful sculptures were destroyed and the city was renamed
"Stavropolis", which literally means Cross City.
|
