Juliopolis orIoulioupolis (Greek:Ἰουλιούπολις), occasionally alsoHeliopolis (Ἡλιούπολις),[1] was an ancient and medieval city and episcopal see inAnatolia (modernTurkey). In laterByzantine times, it also bore the nameBasilaion (Βασιλαίον). Various authors assign it to the regions ofGalatia,Bithynia, andPaphlagonia. Now, it is in the province ofAnkara,Nallıhan.
Archaeological evidence at the site points to settlement since prehistoric times.[2] The town was originally known asGordiou Kome (Γορδίου Κώμη, "village ofGordion").[1]Cleon of Gordiucome, a native of the town, raised its status to a city and renamed it as Juliopolis in honour of theEmperor Augustus. Augustus had rewarded him with the sovereignty overComana (Cappadocia) for his services in war againstMark Antony, whom Cleon had earlier served and from whom he had received other lands.
Inlate antiquity, the town gained in prominence due to its location on the so-called "Pilgrim Road" that connectedConstantinople withAncyra.[1] It is attested as a bishopric since theCouncil of Ancyra in 314.[1] EmperorJustinian I (r. 527–565) undertook repairs to strengthen the city walls, that were being undermined by the nearby Skopas river (modern Aladağ Cayı).[1] In late antiquity, the city belonged to the province ofGalatia Prima, and later to theBucellarian Theme.[3]
In ca. 880 the city changed its name again to Basilaion (Βασιλαίον), Basileon (Βασιλέον) or Basileion (Βασίλειον) in honour of the EmperorBasil I (r. 867–886), and a late document of the Byzantine Church refers to it by its original name of Γορδίου Κώμη.[4]Symeon the New Theologian was born in Basileion in 949 AD.[5] EmperorConstantine X Doukas (r. 1059–1067) raised the see to the rank of ametropolis (withoutsuffragans) in order to honour its incumbent bishop, later confirmed byMichael VII Doukas (r. 1071–1078). Although intended as temporary, the rank was retained, despite the protestations of Nicetas,Metropolitan of Ancyra, to EmperorAlexios I Komnenos (r. 1081–1118).[2]
The site of the city has been securely identified thanks to the preservation ofmilestones with the inscriptionIuliopolis, from theRoman road connectingNicaea withAncyra.[3] The western parts of the site now lie submerged in theSarıyar Dam reservoir, as well as the nearby Byzantine-era bridge (Sarılar Köprüsü) over the Skopas river.[2]
There have been found 671 graves in the Necropolis. A total of 71 of the graves were damaged, Which 37 by antique robbers, and 34 by smugglers.[6] Also, numerous belongings being Jewelry, metal and ceramic pots, mirrors, smell bottles and coins were found during the excavations.[7]
A few of the bishops of Juliopolis/Basilaion are known:
The diocese was nominally restored in the 18th century as aLatin Churchtitular bishopric by theCatholic Church. It has had following incumbents:[8]
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