Phaselis

Founded by Rhodian colonists in the early 7th century BCE, Phaselis is an ancient port city strategically located on the Mediterranean trade routes, at the border of Lycia and Pamphylia. Thanks to its three natural harbors, it prospered through maritime activities and trade, becoming an important center visited by Alexander the Great. Today, it is a captivating archaeological site, featuring Roman-era structures and unique natural beauty, welcoming visitors and listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

History

The history of Phaselis begins with its foundation by Rhodian colonists around 690 BCE. This establishment laid the groundwork for the city's maritime and commercial identity in the Mediterranean. From early periods, it held strategic importance as a transit point and buffer zone between the regions of Lycia and Pamphylia. Coming under the dominion of the Persian Empire from the mid-6th century BCE, the city briefly joined the Delian League after the Persian Wars but later reverted to Persian control.

A turning point in the city's history was Alexander the Great's wintering here during his Anatolian campaign in 334 BCE, and his acceptance of a golden crown from the city's inhabitants. Following Alexander's death, during the Hellenistic Period, Phaselis changed hands among powerful states such as the Ptolemies, Rhodes, and the Seleucids of Syria. Coming under the influence of the Roman Empire from the 2nd century BCE, the city experienced a period of great prosperity thanks to the Pax Romana, during which many monumental structures were built. Emperor Hadrian's visit in 131 CE, in particular, solidified the city's importance in the Roman world. Phaselis continued its existence into the Early Byzantine period but gradually lost its importance with the Arab raids and shifts in trade routes, eventually being completely abandoned in the Middle Ages.

Geographic Location

The ancient city of Phaselis is located today within the borders of Kemer district, Antalya province, near the town of Tekirova, on a small peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea on the eastern coast of the Teke Peninsula. This unique geographic location naturally provided the city with three sheltered harbors: the North Harbor, the Central Harbor (Main Harbor), and the South Harbor. These harbors played a decisive role in the city becoming an important maritime trade center by offering safe havens for ships in antiquity.

Its status as a border city between the regions of Lycia and Pamphylia endowed Phaselis with the characteristics of both a cultural bridge and a strategic transit point. This location, nestled at the foothills of the Taurus Mountains and surrounded by dense pine forests, offered the city both a natural defense line and unparalleled natural beauty. This region, where the clear waters of the Mediterranean intertwine with lush nature, profoundly impacted the city's economic and social life. Neighboring ancient cities include Olympos to the west and Attaleia (Antalya) to the east, which further strengthened Phaselis's central position in the regional trade and communication network.

Significance in Antiquity

Thanks to its three natural harbors, Phaselis became one of the busiest and wealthiest trade centers in the Mediterranean during antiquity. Its foundation by Rhodian colonists reinforced the city's maritime and commercial tradition, playing a significant role in the export of timber used for shipbuilding, rose oil, and perfumes. Its location between Lycia and Pamphylia ensured it served as a strategic gateway for products from inland regions to reach the sea.

Politically, despite not being a member of the Lycian League, Phaselis was a central actor in the power struggles of the region due to its strategic location. Alexander the Great's visit and wintering in the city in 334 BCE clearly demonstrated its political and military importance. During the Roman period, the city maintained its autonomy, occasionally suffering from pirate attacks. However, Emperor Hadrian's visit in 131 CE and the monumental gate built in his honor underscored the city's value to the Roman Empire and its strong ties with the imperial power. In terms of religious life, Athena is believed to have been the city's principal deity; the existence of temples dedicated to Hermes, reflecting its strong ties to trade, is also known. This multifaceted importance made it one of the shining stars of ancient Anatolia.

Coinage

Phaselis was one of the rare and important cities in antiquity that possessed the authority to mint its own coinage. From the mid-5th century BCE, it began minting silver coins in denominations such as the didrachm and obol. These coins are considered an important indicator of the city's economic independence and political status.

The obverses of Phaselis's coins typically feature a depiction of a ship's prow. This motif clearly emphasizes the deep-rooted maritime tradition of the city's Rhodian founders and Phaselis's central and vital role as a port city in Mediterranean trade. On the reverses, regional motifs commonly found on Lycian and Pamphylian coinage were used, such as the helmeted head of Athena or a lion protome. Bronze coins continued to be minted during the Roman Imperial period, depicting portraits of contemporary emperors alongside important city structures, deities, or symbols. Phaselis's coinage provides valuable archaeological evidence that conveys its economic power, maritime identity, and cultural richness in the ancient world to the present day.

Phaselis is an ancient mint represented in the NumisTR database by 76 coin varieties. The recorded coins were struck in silver and bronze. Authorities named on the coins include Lycian League. You can browse the city's coins in the Lycia coins list.

Archaeological Remains

The ancient city of Phaselis today offers visitors remarkably well-preserved and impressive archaeological remains, particularly from the Roman and Byzantine periods. The main street, which traverses the city and connects its three harbors, can still be seen, flanked on both sides by shops, agoras, and public buildings. One of the city's most striking engineering structures is the impressive Roman aqueduct, which supplied water to the city and is still standing.