Ancient road found in Termessos ancient city

ANTALYA – DHA

A 2,300-year-old ancient road has been unearthed in the ancient city of Termessos in the southern province of Antalya. The ancient city is known as one of the cities that Alexander the Great failed to conquer. 

Located on a natural platform on top of the 1,665-meter-high Güllük Mount, Termessos is 30 kilometers away from the city center. No excavation works have yet been carried out in the ancient city, which still maintains its magnificent structure. 

Stating that he was very excited about the newly found road, Antalya Surveying and Monuments Director Cemil Karabayram said they believe the road between Termessos and Attaleia (the ancient name of Antalya) may have been used since the prehistoric era. 

“The Yenice Strait is the only natural route that connects Pisidia to the sea. Some parts of this road, which we think was used by Alexander the Great, remained under the current asphalt road,” Karabayram added. 

He said that for the first time this year they formed an academic council to start excavations in Termessos upon the order of Antalya Governor Münir Karaoğlu, and planning had been made for further steps. 

“This city has been protected very well but unfortunately no archaeological excavations have been carried out in the city. We have initiated works in the city walls and found a big main road extending to the south. This find is very important as we also found staircases and passing routes. Termessos will regain its magnificence with the works. We did not have information about the road so far; now we have a road dating back 2,300 years and it still maintains its originality. The road has been affected by earthquakes but it has not been damaged. It is a big gain for tourism. We think Alexander the Great used this road,” Karabayram added. 

The Antalya Governor’s Office has provided at the first stage 2 million Turkish Liras allocation for the works, he also noted.

Termessos ancient city 

Termessos is a very important city that belonged to the Pisidia region in the north of Antalya. Alexander the Great surrounded the city in 333 B.C. but failed to conquer it. 

The current ruins in the city are from the Hellenistic, Roman and Eastern Roman eras, and include walls, the Hadrian’s triumphal arch, the cisterns, the theater, the gymnasium, the agora, the odeon and the heroon.

 Among the tombs are those of Alcates, Agatemeros and the Lion decorated sarcophagi. 

Termessos also draws attention for cemeteries, which are from a number of different eras and show a number of different styles. 

The city was abandoned in the 5th century.