The ancient city of Seleukeia (or Lyrbe) is located 15 km north of Manavgat and was only rediscovered by archaeologists in the early 1970s. The city is known to have been founded as a fortified acropolis town to be used as a final defence and protection site in the case of an attack on Side. Upon the capture of Side by pirates in the 2nd century B.C., a number of people immigrated to Seleukeia. Based on inscriptions found, it is assumed that the former city of Lyrbe had a long history, dating back to the Hellenistic period, 330-30 BC.
General view of the Agora, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
The ancient city was founded by Seleucus I Nicator (“Seleucus the Victor”), one of the generals of Alexander the Great. In 322 BC, he established a kingdom which lasted for 70 years. The kingdom expanded to include the western shores of Anatolia and just in Anatolia, five cities were founded in the name of Seleucus I Nicator and Seleukeia (or Seleucia) means “the land of Seleucus”.
Sadly, Seleukeia is not frequently visited as the site is difficult to access and is rarely mentioned in tourist guides. The way is a little adventurous and ends with a dirt road through the forest. However it is quite a unique place. You don’t get to see an agora so well preserved very often! Not surprisingly, we had the place totally to ourselves.
Entering the site, the 9 m. high city walls of the city attracts the attention right away.
The city gate, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
The most impressive surviving section is the two-storey agora (marketplace) with Doric columns still in place.
View of the two-storey Agora, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
The row of stores surrounding the Agora are well preserved.
The two-storey row of shops in the Agora, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
The Doric Stoa and two-storey row of shops, Agora, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
The north gate of the Agora and the Exedra, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
The gallery storage below the Agora, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
In the southeastern part of the Agora, is the odeon or bouleuterion with 6 row of seats where, in addition to music concerts, the meetings of the administrative council of the city were held.
The Odeon in the southeastern part of the Agora, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
In the north of the Agora, 20 meters ahead, are the remains of a well-preserved small podium temple with a former four-columned proanos and a single cella.
Small podium temple, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
©Carole Raddato
Small podium temple, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
©Carole Raddato
Due to a lack of resources and information on site, some buildings were difficult to identify.
Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
Remains of an aqueduct, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
Mosaic in-situ, Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
The archaeological finds, some of which can be admired in the Museum of Antalya, indicate a peak in the first and 2nd century AD. A large mosaic decorated with the portraits of Solon, Thucydides, Lycurgus, Herodotus, Hesiod and Demosthenes was discovered among the finds unearthed between the years of 1978 and 1979 in Seleukeia.
Portrait of Thucydides from Seleukeia, Antalya Museum
© Carole Raddato
Aqueduct near Seleukeia (Lyrbe)
© Carole Raddato
Further photos from Seleukeia can be viewed from my image collection on Flickr.
