Aytap (Ancient Greek: Ἰωτάπη, Iotape) is a historical port city that is 30 km-33 km, east of Alanya, located in the Mediterranean Region, Turkey. Along with Alanya, Aytap is situated in the district of the Antalya Province. Where Aytap is situated there is a long modern road that stretches along the coast between Alanya and Gazipaşa. Aytap is situated between Alanya and Gazipaşa. Nowadays, Aytap is a popular tourist place. The city is popular for camping; swimming in the natural caves; swimming and using the local beaches or if tourists come to visit the ancient ruins.
Prior to the 1st century, there is no archaeological evidence found that Aytap could have been earlier inhabited by other clans of people. The city was founded by the King Antiochus IV of Commagene, who was of Armenian, Greek and Median descent. Antiochus IV founded this settlement around 52 and named the city in honor of his late sister-wife, Queen of Commagene Iotapa, who was Queen from 38 until her death around 52 of Commagene.
Antiochus IV chose this site to establish the city, because there are 2 bays close to each other, giving shape of a natural harbor with a higher plateau for the town to be protected from the sea and any invasions from the sea. The natural port measures 50–100 metres. The peninsula between the 2 bays is on a high hill, which is connected to land and extends to the sea. In the peninsula, ruins remains of an Acropolis. Huge walls were built around the Acropolis to protect the monument. It is known during the reign of Antiochus IV, 38–72, in some cities in Cilicia, including Iotapa, mints were producing coins honoring Antiochus’ sons with Iotapa, princes Gaius Julius Archelaus Antiochus Epiphanes and Callinicus. These mints were producing coins honoring Iotapa, years after her death.
Although Iotapa was annexed along with the Kingdom of Commagene by Roman EmperorVespasian in 72, Iotapa became a central city where coins were minted. From the reign of Trajan (98-117) until the reign of Valerian (253-260), coins were minted at Iotapa. Surviving coins from the mint, on the front side shows the bust of an emperor and backside there is a description of either Apollo, Tyche or Perseus.
Archaeological remainsedit
In Aytap, there are archaeological remains from the reign of Antiochus IV, Ancient Rome and Byzantine Empire. The ancient ruins are near the modern road. In Aytap, there are remains of the Ancient Roman sewers, which are well preserved. In the northern hills of Aytap, there is a necropolis (see List of necropoleis). There are monumental tombs and beside them are small tomb structures covered with vaults.
In the old street of Aytap there are well preserve remains of the local Roman Baths. There are crepes consisting of three steps and surviving sculptures. Inscriptions on sculptures have survived about local athletes and local citizens. East of the local Acropolis, there is a Basilica in a rectangular shape with three naves. Ruins of a temple have been found in the modern city centre that is 8 m x 12.5 m long, with traces of surviving frescoes.
aytap, ancient, greek, Ἰωτάπη, iotape, historical, port, city, that, east, alanya, located, mediterranean, region, turkey, along, with, alanya, situated, district, antalya, province, where, situated, there, long, modern, road, that, stretches, along, coast, be. Aytap Ancient Greek Ἰwtaph Iotape is a historical port city that is 30 km 33 km east of Alanya located in the Mediterranean Region Turkey Along with Alanya Aytap is situated in the district of the Antalya Province Where Aytap is situated there is a long modern road that stretches along the coast between Alanya and Gazipasa Aytap is situated between Alanya and Gazipasa Nowadays Aytap is a popular tourist place The city is popular for camping swimming in the natural caves swimming and using the local beaches or if tourists come to visit the ancient ruins Ruins of the Cilician city of Iotapa Aytap Contents 1 History 2 Archaeological remains 3 Sources 4 External linksHistory editMain article Iotape Prior to the 1st century there is no archaeological evidence found that Aytap could have been earlier inhabited by other clans of people The city was founded by the King Antiochus IV of Commagene who was of Armenian Greek and Median descent Antiochus IV founded this settlement around 52 and named the city in honor of his late sister wife Queen of Commagene Iotapa who was Queen from 38 until her death around 52 of Commagene Antiochus IV chose this site to establish the city because there are 2 bays close to each other giving shape of a natural harbor with a higher plateau for the town to be protected from the sea and any invasions from the sea The natural port measures 50 100 metres The peninsula between the 2 bays is on a high hill which is connected to land and extends to the sea In the peninsula ruins remains of an Acropolis Huge walls were built around the Acropolis to protect the monument It is known during the reign of Antiochus IV 38 72 in some cities in Cilicia including Iotapa mints were producing coins honoring Antiochus sons with Iotapa princes Gaius Julius Archelaus Antiochus Epiphanes and Callinicus These mints were producing coins honoring Iotapa years after her death Although Iotapa was annexed along with the Kingdom of Commagene by Roman Emperor Vespasian in 72 Iotapa became a central city where coins were minted From the reign of Trajan 98 117 until the reign of Valerian 253 260 coins were minted at Iotapa Surviving coins from the mint on the front side shows the bust of an emperor and backside there is a description of either Apollo Tyche or Perseus Archaeological remains editIn Aytap there are archaeological remains from the reign of Antiochus IV Ancient Rome and Byzantine Empire The ancient ruins are near the modern road In Aytap there are remains of the Ancient Roman sewers which are well preserved In the northern hills of Aytap there is a necropolis see List of necropoleis There are monumental tombs and beside them are small tomb structures covered with vaults In the old street of Aytap there are well preserve remains of the local Roman Baths There are crepes consisting of three steps and surviving sculptures Inscriptions on sculptures have survived about local athletes and local citizens East of the local Acropolis there is a Basilica in a rectangular shape with three naves Ruins of a temple have been found in the modern city centre that is 8 m x 12 5 m long with traces of surviving frescoes Sources edithttps web archive org web 20150812083730 http cheaphotelturkey com alanyaturkey asp http www famous tour com english LOCATIONS alanya htm https web archive org web 20080924090628 http www bilyanatravel com page 106 amp destina 4 amp lang uk https web archive org web 20090106015143 http www turkeytourism com holiday akdeniz alanya resorts htm https web archive org web 20080829184156 http www turkeyodyssey com articles the port city of iotape aytap html http www turizm gov tr EN Yonlendir aspx 17A16AE30572D3137EE1F1486EE5030E9BCFDA0A07D3F364External links editPhoto of Ancient Roman Theatre in Aytap36 19 14 N 32 14 06 E 36 32056 N 32 23500 E 36 32056 32 23500 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aytap amp oldid 948588028, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
