Introduction
Nestled in the rugged mountains of southwest Turkey, the ancient city of Sagalassos stands as a testament to the resilience, power, and cultural sophistication of its inhabitants. Located near the modern-day town of Ağlasun in Burdur province, this archaeological site is about 100 km away from the holiday city of Antalya, on the southern coast of Turkey. Sagalassos was strategically founded on the south-facing slopes of the Taurus Mountains and rose to become the metropolis of the Roman province of Pisidia, a region rich in both mountainous landscapes and lakes. Today, the area is known as the “District of Lakes” due to the abundant water sources and natural beauty.
The history of Sagalassos stretches back thousands of years, and the site has played a pivotal role in the region’s geopolitical and cultural evolution. This article delves into the origins of the city, its rise to prominence under Roman rule, the architectural marvels it boasts, and its eventual decline. We will explore why this site was chosen for settlement, the structures that made it a thriving hub, and how it has remained one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean.
The Origins: City of Sagalassos: Tracing Back 12,000 Years
Early Settlements and the Bronze Age
The earliest traces of human activity in the region of Sagalassos date back to approximately 12,000 years ago, when hunter-gatherer communities roamed the land. By the eighth millennium BC, farmers had settled along the shores of Lake Burdur, establishing agricultural communities. During the Bronze Age, the region was governed by territorial tribes, but there is no evidence to suggest that Sagalassos itself was inhabited during this time.
Hittite Influence and the Name Salawassa
Around the 14th century BC, Hittite inscriptions began to mention a mountain site called Salawassa, which is believed to have been the ancient name of Sagalassos. It was during this time that the site began to develop as an urban center, especially under the influence of the Phrygian and Lydian civilizations. By the time the Persians conquered the region, Sagalassos had become a part of Pisidia, known for its courageous and rebellious population.
Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Period
The Defiance of Sagalassos
In 333 BC, as Alexander the Great advanced through Asia Minor in his campaign to conquer the Persian Empire, he encountered fierce resistance in Pisidia. The people of Sagalassos fought valiantly against Alexander’s forces at what is now known as “Alexander’s Hill.” Despite their efforts, the city fell to Alexander, marking its entrance into the Hellenistic world.
Success Struggles and Changing Hands
After Alexander’s passing, the Diadochi, his heirs, fought over control of Pisidia, which included Sagalassos. Between 321 and 301 BC, the city was ruled by the kingdom of Antigonos Monopthalmos. It then briefly regained autonomy under Lysimachos of Thrace, only to be conquered by the Seleucids of Syria between 281 and 189 BC. The Attalids of Pergamon ruled the area from 189 to 133 BC, and their influence accelerated the Hellenization of the city.
Sagalassos Under Roman Rule: The Golden Age
A Prosperous Roman Metropolis
Sagalassos reached the height of its prosperity during the Roman Imperial period, particularly under the reign of Augustus, the first Roman emperor. Augustus’ reforms brought peace and stability to the region, enabling the city to flourish economically. The Roman Empire relied on the Pisidia region for its agricultural output, including grain and olives, and Sagalassos became a hub for the production of high-quality ceramics known as “Sagalassos red slip ware.”
Under Roman rule, Sagalassos became the metropolis of Pisidia, and its population grew rapidly. The city’s elite embraced the opportunities brought by Roman governance, and the local economy thrived. The climate was warmer and wetter during this period, allowing olive cultivation in higher altitudes, further boosting agricultural production.
Civic Life and Cultural Integration
Although Sagalassos maintained its local identity, the city fully integrated into the Roman world. The first century AD was a golden age for the city, marked by architectural development and cultural vibrancy. The Roman municipal institutions introduced new social structures, and the Greek influence on the city’s material culture was evident in the public buildings and artistic expressions. The Roman Empire’s influence on Sagalassos can still be seen in the remains of its temples, streets, and monuments.
The Decline of Sagalassos: Epidemics, Earthquakes, and Raids
Natural Disasters and Population Decline
Around 400 AD, the stability of Sagalassos began to falter as external pressures mounted. The city was forced to fortify its civic center to protect itself from raids, particularly by the rebellious Isaurian tribes. Despite these challenges, the city remained prosperous, and many of its monumental buildings were repaired or rebuilt after earthquakes. However, a major earthquake around 500 AD caused significant damage to the city, marking the beginning of its decline.
Recurring epidemics in the mid-6th century, including the devastating Plague of Justinian, further weakened the population and economy of Sagalassos. Large portions of the city were abandoned, and urban life gave way to a more rural existence as inhabitants scattered into the countryside.
Arab Raids and Final Abandonment
In the 7th century, continuous Arab raids compounded the city’s difficulties, and another earthquake, likely occurring around 590 AD, struck a fatal blow to Sagalassos. The population continued to dwindle, and the city’s inhabitants retreated to isolated, well-defended hamlets on the surrounding promontories. One of these hamlets, located on Alexander’s Hill, survived until the mid-13th century, when it was finally destroyed. By that time, the Seljuks had built a bathhouse and caravanserai in the valley below, signaling the final chapter in the city’s long history. The ancient city was eventually abandoned and buried under layers of vegetation and erosion, preserving its remains for future generations.
Why Was Sagalassos Chosen for Settlement?
Security and Water Abundance
Despite its rugged and seemingly inhospitable location, Sagalassos offered several advantages to its early settlers. Security was paramount, and the city’s elevated position on the slopes of the Taurus Mountains provided a natural defense against invaders. The site’s geology also contributed to its desirability; a permeable layer of limestone over clay created dozens of natural springs that supplied the city with abundant fresh water.
The fertile valleys surrounding the city were ideal for agriculture, particularly the cultivation of wheat and olives. Sagalassos’ unique soil composition also allowed for the production of high-quality ceramics and bricks, and nearby mineral ores supported a thriving metalworking industry.
Strategic Location and Trade Routes
Sagalassos’ location at the crossroads of important trade routes was another key factor in its success. The city was connected to the Anatolian road network, which linked it to the interior regions of Asia Minor as well as to the ports on the western coast of Ionia and the Mediterranean coast of Pamphylia. This connectivity allowed Sagalassos to export its agricultural products and ceramics across the Roman Empire, contributing to its economic growth and prestige.
Architectural Marvels of Sagalassos
Alexander’s Hill: A Stronghold of History
Alexander’s Hill is one of the most important historical landmarks in Sagalassos. It was here that the city’s defenders made their stand against Alexander the Great in 333 BC. The hill’s strategic location, with its flat top and steep flanks, made it an ideal defensive position. Although no permanent settlement was established on the hill, it became an important part of the city’s necropolis during the Roman Imperial period. Excavations have revealed the remains of a pagan temple, later replaced by a Christian church in the 5th or 6th century AD.
The Temple of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius
One of the most impressive structures in Sagalassos is the Temple of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. Built on a natural promontory to the south of the city, the temple was a key center for the imperial cult and served as a symbol of Sagalassos’ loyalty to the Roman Empire. Construction began under Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD) and was completed by his successor Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD). The temple’s courtyard, more than 70 meters long, was lined with porticoes and statues, making it one of the most elaborate buildings in the city.
Decline and Legacy: The Final Chapters of Sagalassos
The Southern Gate and Towers: Fortifications Against Invaders
By the 7th century AD, the threat of Arab raids forced the inhabitants of Sagalassos to reinforce their defenses. The Southern Gate, once a grand entrance to the city, was modified with towers and walls constructed from recycled building materials. The towers were positioned to face north, guarding against invaders approaching from that direction.
Conclusion: Sagalassos as a Window into the Past
The ancient city of Sagalassos stands today as one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, offering a rare glimpse into the rich history of Pisidia and the Roman Empire. Its strategic location, abundant natural resources, and integration into the Roman world allowed it to flourish for centuries. Although natural disasters, epidemics, and external threats eventually led to its decline, Sagalassos remains a remarkable example of urban planning, architectural achievement, and cultural resilience.
For modern visitors, Sagalassos is not just an archaeological site but a journey back in time, where the ruins of temples, theaters, and streets tell the story of a once-great metropolis that played a vital role in the history of the ancient world.
It was built during the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius between 161 and 180 AD and was built as a prestige indicator of the Roman Empire.
Afyon marble, which allows light plays, was used in the Antonine Fountain, which is a fountain with a waterfall. It is decorated with numerous statues, two of which belong to Dionysus.
There are symbols dedicated to Dionysus throughout the 28-meter-long and 9-meter-high structure.
An earthquake that happened in the sixth century AD seriously damaged it. Only Dionysus statues were found as a whole throughout the excavations. Outside of the niches containing the statues of Dionysus, sculptures from other buildings were positioned. Çeşme was destroyed by the second earthquake in 650 AD.
It was constructed to give the top agora, the ancient city’s political hub, a more beautiful appearance. Situated directly in front of the terrace wall, the imposing fountain bears a resemblance to the architecture of a play stage. The 81 m³ pool in the center niche is filled with water from the seven various types of stone utilized in the fountain. The waterfall is 4.5 meters high.
With the help of Aygaz, the University of Belgium Leuven, other Belgian organizations, and Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay, it was brought back to life after 1800 years.
Height: 11cm
Length: 35cm
Width: 7 cm
Weight: 1898 grams
Stone dust, polyester and epoxy are used for water effects.
It has been painted close to the real thing by artists.
Columns, statues and all other architectural elements are 100% proportional to their reality, as they are scanned and scaled with the photogrammetry technique.
Modern project
Head of the enormous figure of Emperor Hadrian, currently on display at the Burdur Archaeological Museum, which was discovered at the Roman Baths complex.
Since 1990, Marc Waelkens of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium has been leading a significant excavation effort at Sagalassos, a popular tourist destination. The monumental city center is now exposed; four major restoration projects are (nearly) completed. The project also undertakes an intensive urban and geophysical survey, excavations in the domestic and industrial areas, and an intensive survey of the territory. While the latter study established the changing settlement patterns, the history of vegetation and farming techniques, the creation of the terrain, and the climatic variations over the last 10,000 years, the first survey chronicles a thousand years of occupation—from Alexander the Great to the seventh century.
The media announced the finding of an enormous, intricately crafted statue of Emperor Hadrian on August 9, 2007, estimated to have stood 4-5 meters tall. The statue, which shows the emperor in military uniform, was made during the early years of Hadrian’s rule. It was carved in parts that were joined at the location, a thermae, a public bath, with marble tenons. During a significant seismic event that occurred in the late sixth or early seventh century CE, the vaulting collapsed and the statue broke apart at the fractures in its facture.
There may be a companion sculpture of Sabina, the emperor’s consort, based on the discovery of sculptured marble toes that were pierced with dowel holes to secure them to the hem of a long mantle. At the same location, a head statue of Faustina the Elder, the wife of Hadrian’s adopted son and the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius, was found on August 14, 2008.Marcus Aurelius’ enormous portrait head was discovered on August 22, 2008.
Samples from excavations at the archaeological site of Sagalassos were used in a study involving mitochondrial analysis of a Byzantine-era population. The results showed that the samples from Sagalassos were most similar to modern samples from “Turkey, Crimea, Iran and Italy (Campania and Puglia), Cyprus and the Balkans (Bulgaria, Croatia and Greece).”
for more, click here