|
 ake
the main road from Soke to Milas until you reach Lake Bafa.
Turn left and continue for a few kilometers until you come
to a modern village where you will see the remains of Heracleia.
Potsherds have been found which indicate that this site has
been inhabited since the 6th century BC.
 Originally
called simply Latmus, the city was conquered by Mausolus,
King of Caria, in the 4th century BC. He built the massive
city walks, up to 3 meters thick and incorporating many defense
towers, which stretch from the shores of the lake to high
on the slopes of Mount Latmus. At the same time he changed
its name to the Greek-style Heracleia, and began to develop
its importance as a center for agriculture and seabased trade
as well as a fortress town defending the northern boundaries
of his empire. Later, under Alexander's rule, the city's importance
began to decrease until, with the silting up of the Gulf of
Latmus, which effectively created the landlocked lake Bafa,
Heracleia's heyday was over.
Greek mythology names Heracleia as the home of
the handsome shepherd Endymion, on whom Zeus bestowed the
gift of eternal sleep and youth. The moon goddess, Selena
fell in love with him as he slept and is said to have borne
his fifty daughters. It is still possible to see the Sanctuary
of Endymion on the southern side of the city a horseshoe shaped
chamber with an entrance hall and pillared forecourt.
Mausolus developed the city in the grid pattern
so beloved by the Greeks, on whom he modeled his kingdom.
Many of the narrow streets and stone stairs of the old city
still remain, as well as evidence of terrace walls, houses
and tombs carved from living rock. Many of these are now under
water, owing to the raised level of the lake.
In the market place, which was originally surrounded
by colonnades, can be seen the rows of shops, their doors
and windows still clearly defined. On a towering outcrop of
rock high above the market place is the temple of Athena,
built at the end of the 3rd century BC, much of which is still
standing to full height. Also to be seen are the Amphitheater
and Nymphaeum, the roman Baths and the nearby Gymnasium.
Mount Latmus retained its reputation as a holly
mountain at least until the Middle Ages. The remains of the
simple dwellings used by monks and hermits can still be seen
on the remote hillsides among the rocks, while a Byzantine
castle dominates one end of the city wall on the site of Heracleia's
lake fortress.
|
