Aspendos

Aspendos was a Greco-Roman city that has become the wealthiest one through the salt, oil, and wool trade and was located on the trade route in Antalya, 7 km northeast of the Serik district. According to the claims, the city was founded by Azatiwada of Quwê, but late tradition claims that the city was founded by Greeks who may have come from Argos. Lycians, Persians, the Delian League, Alexander the Great, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans ruled over the city.

As the tale states that when Alexander the Great marched to Aspendos the rich citizens asked him not to harm the city in return they were going to accept to pay him the same amount of taxes that they had paid to Persians formerly. Alexander takes the deal but when he leaves there Aspendians had already started to make plans against the agreement. Alexander come back and Aspendians had to pay much higher taxes than before.

Aspendos is known as the Roman theatre which is one of the best-preserved theatres from the ancient era. It provides 12.000 seats for the audience, built by the Greek architect Zenon around 155. The theatre fascinates people with its acoustic and atmosphere and it is still the stage of the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival annually.

Other highlights of the ancient city are Agora, Market Hall, The Ornamental Gate, Roman Aqueduct, The Basilica, The Eurymedon Bridge, The Nymphaeum, and Temple.