36°24′36.9″N29°11′30.1″E / 36.410250°N 29.191694°E /36.410250; 29.191694Sidyma (Ancient Greek:Σίδυμα), was a town ofancient Lycia, at what is now the small village of Dudurga Asari inMuğla Province,Turkey. It lies on the southern slope ofMount Cragus, to the north-west of the mouth of theXanthus.
The earliest settlement of Sidyma occurred in the iron age. Sidyma was mentioned in the 1st century BC byAlexander Polyhistor, and later byPliny the Elder,Stephanus of Byzantium, theSynecdemus, and theNotitiae Episcopatuum. The earliest documentation of the city is from 425 BC, where the city is mentioned as belonging to theDelian League.[1]
In 334 BCAlexander the Great came to Lycia and captured theXanthos district, of which Sidyma belonged. Later, when theLycian League was first founded in 169 BC, Sidyma was one of the 23 founding cities.[2] During this same period, Sidyma was granted the ability to strike its own currency, of which one coin has been found.[3] Within the Roman period Sidyma flourished. According to legend, in the 5th century AD the futureByzantine EmperorMarcian, fell ill while on campaign and was cured by the people of Sidyma, later rewarding them for their kindness.[4] Another version states that while still a simple soldier, he fell asleep while resting on a hunt near Sidyma, and was found to be sheltered by a large eagle, a presage of his future elevation.[5]
Extant remains are from the time of theRoman Empire, evidence that the site held a flourishing city. While Sidyma was one of the founding cities of the Lycian League, no inscriptions have been discovered there yet.
Situated on the site of an ancient Lycian city, the contemporary village of Sidyma now occupies the same space, its homes and pathways intricately woven around the historic ruins that have stood for centuries. Recognising the significant historical and cultural value of this unique juxtaposition of past and present, the Mulga Conservation Commission, in 2008, declared Sidyma a first-class conservation area, ensuring that the preservation of both the modern village and the ancient ruins would be carried out with the utmost care and diligence for future generations to appreciate.
The rich history of the region has also led to Sidyma's placement on theLycian Way, a long distance trail in southwestern Turkey. Currently, there are different hiking and trekking routes that go through or start from Sidyma. Depending in the route taken, trekkers stay or rest at localpensions, and explore the ruins of Sidya.
As Sidyma has never been officially excavated, historical and archaeological speculation has been limited to the visible ruins above the surface. The heavy cover of trees and present occupation have presented obstacles to the excavation of the area. The majority of structures which are visible are from the roman period, with the exception of some structures from the Classical Lycian period, and the remains of churches from the Byzantine period.
Acropolis + Agora
The ruins of Sidyma, high up on the southern slope of Mount Cragus, were first discovered byCharles Fellows, who described them as consisting chiefly of splendidly built tombs, abounding in Greek inscriptions. On his journey he identified the town as possessing the ruins of a theatre,agora and temples, which were of diminutive size, but of great beauty.[6][7] These features are still visible on theacropolis, along with parts of the city walls and an entryway. The north side of theacropolis, evidence of settlements remains nestled amongst contemporary village houses, some of which were constructed using the cut stones remaining in-situ from the ancient city.[8]
There is also evidence of anagora and accompanyingstoa. An inscription on the structure indicates that it was dedicated to theEmperor Claudius, and purchased byEmperor Claudius' doctor Epigapos, and his son Levianus. Additionally there are the remains of a peoples parliament with asebasteion to dedicated toQuintus Veranius. On the east side of thesebasteion, there is an inscription indicating the presence of a gymnasium, with some portions of the walls still standing today. Evidence from thesebasteion suggests thatArtemis andApollo were principally worshiped within the city, though there is evidence of the worship of several other gods.[9] Not far from the village centre, and ancientagora, also sits the ruins of aroman bath house where two of the arches remain visible today.
Necropolis
The most prolific remains visible in Sidyma today are the graves populating thenecropolis. Here, a diversity of graves can be found dating from the Classical Lycian period to the Byzantine period. 40 graves can be identified of different styles.[10] Within the necropolis, there are sarcophagus on podiums, and "a large number of pigeon-hole tombs cut in the cliff on the left hand... reminiscent ofPinara."[11] Traditional rock-tombs cut into the rock face have also been identified, two of which can be dated to the Roman period based on inscriptions.[12]
Close to the village centre rests a monumental grave, notable for its 25 squaresoffits embedded its ceiling which still remain. In addition to flower rosettes, 8 distinctive portraits are visible. The caliber of this craft is evident of a high standard of work for the city. One of the most important graves within Sidyma is the mausoleum of Flava Nanne, an early priestess in theRoman Imperial Cult. Located centrally within the ancient city, its columns are from the doric period.[13]
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Sidyma became aChristianbishopric, asuffragan of theMetropolitan see ofMira, the capital of theRoman province ofLycia. The bishop of Sidyma ranked tenth under the metropolitan of Myra.[14]
The diocese continued to appear in theNotitiae Episcopatuum until the 13th century.[15][16][17]
No longer a residential bishopric, Sidyma is today listed by theCatholic Church as a Latintitular bishopric,[18] the diocese being nominally revived in the 19th century.
It is vacant for decades, having had the following incumbents, of the lowest (episcopal) rank :
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