Apollonia

Apollonia (Ancient Greek: Ἀπολλωνία) was a city in ancient Lycia. Its ruins are located near Kiliçli (Sıçak), a small village in the Kaş district of Antalya Province, Turkey.

History

Apollonia is not mentioned by ancient historians. The pillar tombs in the necropolis to the north of the city attest to a Lycian origin of the settlement, and date to c. 500 BC.

During the period when the region was under Roman control, the city was part of a local federation, or sympoliteia, that comprised Simena, Isinda and Aperlae. Led by Aperlae, it had one vote in the Lycian League.

The ruins of a Byzantine church possibly date to the 6th or 7th century AD, so the city was still occupied at that time.

Description

Apollonia is located on a hill and has a walled acropolis at its highest elevation. In the east the acropolis seems to be double because a much older stockade is located inside the Byzantine walls. Two churches, a theater, baths with cisterns and a heroon are found on the western and northwestern side of the acropolis. Houses were built on the southwestern side. Six pillar tombs and one larger monument are found around the acropolis.