A HIDDEN CITY so high in the mountains that not even Alexander the Great could conquer is empty.
Perched in a fortified eagle’s nest high in the mountains of southwestern Turkey, Termessos can be conquered by anyone willing to make the trek here.
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Although easily accessible by car via Antalya, the ancient wonder remains empty despite boasting majestic landscapes and historical intrigue.
The once-mighty city of Termessos dates back to 334 BC, when the ancient Macedonian king Alexander the Great attempted to conquer the 300-meter-high fortified mountain.
Unable to navigate the steep mountain slopes and rocky terrain, Termessos is one of two cities in Asia Minor that the conquering king was unable to conquer.
Although not much is known about the fall and destruction of Temessons, it is believed that an earthquake in the 4th or 5th century AD destroyed the aqueduct that provided people in the mountains with drinking water.
At that time, the city was completely deserted until it was discovered by modern travelers in the 19th century.
Polish researcher Karol Lanckoroński has repeatedly visited the ancient wonder. In your book The cities of Pamphylia and Pisidiahe said: ‘Of all the cities of Pisidia which we have visited, Termessos has the most peculiar and largest position.
“It is, at the same time, a watchtower commanding a distant view and a nest buried deep in a valley, surrounded by a ring of mountains.
“If its inhabitants gave themselves up to banditry, they would find no better hiding place than in this eagle’s nest.”
Antalya-based art teacher and licensed guide, Önder Uğuz said the Romans were more successful than Alexander the Great in governing the city.
He said: “Not by force, but by more insidious means, such as offering autonomy under Roman protection.”
Discovering the mountain’s hidden secrets
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But it’s not just the stunning mountain views that make the lost city spectacular; the mountain itself is a tomb for the rich and powerful of Termessos.
The cemeteries contain ancient sarcophagi that were carved with shields and spears for warriors.
And like most ancient cemeteries, the tombs have been raided by invaders over the centuries.
However, they do provide clues about the warriors who were buried there, including an ancient Hellenistic tomb from 4 BC believed to belong to a general of Alexander the Great.
A life-size relief of an equestrian figure with a spear and resting bed is believed to belong to Alketas, a general who ruled under the ancient conqueror.
In addition to the tombs, the once great city had shops in the agora – a market and a theater – a key feature in both the Hellenic and Roman periods in Termessos.
Built in the Hellenistic period, it was made of hewn stones and had a capacity for 4,200 people.
In the Roman period, in the 2nd century AD, the theater underwent significant changes.
The ancient ruins also reveal the marble ruins of the city’s gymnasium for soldiers in training, which would have been vital in protecting the once-mighty mountain fortress.
Like other ancient villages, Termessos was home to several temples dedicated to the gods and goddesses.
Six temples remain in the ruins, with the main temple dedicated to the main deity of Termessos, known as Zeus Solymian.
Although the temple and ruins may be isolated, tours of the site run daily and can be reached via public transport, taxi or car from Antalya.
Who is Alexander the Great?
Born in 356 BC in Pella, in the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia, Alexander the Great was the son of Philip II and Olympias.
He succeeded his father, Philip II, to the throne at the age of 20 and spent most of his years of rule conducting a long military campaign throughout West Asia, Central Asia, parts of South Asia, and Egypt.
By the age of 30, he had created one of the largest empires in history, stretching from Greece to northwestern India. The entire area, from Greece in the west, north to the Danube, south to Egypt and as far east as the Indian Punjab, was linked together in a vast international network of trade and commerce.
He was undefeated in battle and is widely considered one of the greatest and most successful military commanders in history.
He died of a fever in Babylon in June 323 BCE, aged 32.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
