 Ruins of Syedra in 2007 | |
  Shown within Turkey | |
| Location | Antalya Province, Turkey |
|---|---|
| Region | Cilicia,Pamphylia,Isauria |
| Coordinates | 36°26′28″N32°9′9″E / 36.44111°N 32.15250°E /36.44111; 32.15250 |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Founded | 7th century BCE |
| Abandoned | 13th century CE |
| Cultures | Greek,Roman,Byzantine |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | In ruins |
Syedra (Greek:Σύεδρα)[1] was an ancient port city in region ofancient Cilicia,Pamphylia, orIsauria, on the southern coast of modern-dayTurkey between the towns ofAlanya andGazipaşa. Syedra was settled in the 7th century BCE, and abandoned in the 13th century CE. The town had a port at sea level and an upper town 400m above.[2]Ptolemy places it in Cilicia.[3]Stephanus of Byzantium assigns it to Isauria.[4]Hierocles places it in Pamphylia.[5]
The Roman historiansLucan andFlorus both mention Syedra as where the Roman GeneralPompey held his last war council in 48 BCE, before his fatal voyage toEgypt.[6] The city experienced its height around the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, and in 194 Roman EmperorSeptimius Severus praised the city's resistance of ongoingMediterranean piracy.[7] A first century BCE inscription found in the town relates to the piracy, suggesting that the oracle, possibly of Apollo atClaros, advised the Syedrians to resist pirates with "violent battle, either driving away, or binding in unbreakable chains."[6][8]In 193Pescennius Niger made a war with Septimius Severus in order to become the Emperor. In 194 the war was over and Pescennius Niger defeated. After the war, Septimius Severus rewarded cities that supported him with new privileges and titles, while cities which went against him were punished, lost their privileges, some even became villages (κῶμαι). Syedra supported Septimius Severus, and took privileges.[9]
Coins were minted in Syedra during various time periods going back to that of Roman EmperorTiberius (r. 14 CE–37 CE).[10] In 374 CE, the early Christian theologianEpiphanius of Salamis wrote his workAncoratus (the well anchored man) as a reply letter to the Church at Syedra, describing it as needing to be anchored in a safe harbor.[11]
Modern excavations began in 1994 under Dr. İsmail Karamut, then head of theAlanya Archaeological Museum.[12] The main street in the upper town was excavated,[10] as well as a cave decorated with Christian imagery likely used for baptisms. A mosaic found is now on display in the Alanya Museum. Other structures include a temple, a theater, shops, bathhouse, town walls, and several cisterns that provided water to the city.[2] Also many churches have been unearthed.[13]In 2011, archeologist excavating underwater dated relics of a port at Syedra to the Bronze Age, around 5,000 years ago.[14]
Media related toSyedra at Wikimedia Commons| Geographic | |
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| Other | |
