Alabanda excavation sheds light on history

AYDIN - Anadolu Agency

Ancient city of Alabanda sheds light on the history of the region. The works at 2,200 years old ‘Goddess Rome Temple’ have already started in Aydın. AA photo

Excavation works of a 2,200-year-old “Goddess Rome Temple” have started in the Alabanda Ancient City near Turkey’s southwestern province of Aydin.

The ancient city sheds light on the history of the region, Archeology lecturer at the Adnan Menderes University, Dr. Suat Ateslier, told Anadolu Agency. Ateslier emphasized that Roman historian Titus Livius Patavinus (Livy) mentioned the Alabanda and temples in ancient articles and added that by following their works in that way, they finally identified the location of the temple.

Built for strengthen relations with Ancient Rome.

Ateslier drew attention to the greatness of the Goddess Rome Temple as it was bigger and much more magnificent than the previously unearthed Apollo and Zeus temples in Alabanda.

“As the Goddess Rome Temple is bigger than the mother goddesses’ temples, we have to think about receiving the political and military support of Ancient Rome. Alabanda had an intense war period during the second century BC with Rhodes and asked support from the Ancient Rome.