Termessos (Greek Τερμησσός Termēssós), also known as Termessos Major (Τερμησσός ἡ μείζων),[1] was a Pisidian city[2] built at an altitude of about 1000 metres at the south-west side of Solymos Mountain (modern Güllük Dağı) in the Taurus Mountains (modern Korkuteli, Antalya Province, Turkey).

[2] Termessos is unique due to its exceptionally rich collection of inscriptions, providing valuable insights into its history and culture.

The city has never been formally excavated but has been explored and surveyed, leading to extensive publications of over a thousand inscriptions.

Arrian, one of the ancient historians who dealt with this event and recorded the strategic importance of Termessos, notes that even a small force could easily defend it due to the insurmountable natural barriers surrounding the city.

Alexander wasted much time and effort trying to force his way through the pass, which had been closed by the Termessians, and so, in anger he turned toward Termessos and surrounded it.

Probably because he knew he could not capture the city, Alexander did not undertake an assault, but instead marched north and vented his fury on Sagalassos.

The historian Diodorus[citation needed] recorded in full detail another incident in the history of Termessos.

In 319 BC, after the death of Alexander, one of his generals, Antigonos Monophtalmos, proclaimed himself master of Asia Minor and set out to do battle with his rival Alcetas, whose base of support was Pisidia.

The youth, greatly resenting what had happened, recovered Alcetas' corpse, buried it with full honours, and erected a beautiful monument to his memory[citation needed].

Termessos entered into friendly relations with Attalos II, king of Pergamon, the better to combat its ancient enemy Selge.

This independence was maintained continuously for a long time, the only exception being an alliance with Amyntas king of Galatia (reigned 36-25 BC).

The city was abandoned (year unknown), which helps to explain its remarkable state of preservation today.

The part of Termessos where the principal official buildings are located lies on a flat area a little beyond the inner walls.

The ground floor of this open-air market place has been raised on stone blocks, and to its north-west five big cisterns have been hollowed out.

According to the inscription found on the two-storey stoa on the north-west, it was presented to Termessos by Attalos II, king of Pergamum (reigned 150-138 BC) as proof of his friendship.

This is connected with the podium where the play took place, by five doors piercing the richly ornamented facade or scaenae frons.

It is certain that the building was originally roofed, since it received its light from eleven large windows in the east and west walls.

Because the interior is full of earth and rubble at present, it is not possible to gauge either the building's seating arrangement or its capacity.

Amid the rubble, pieces of coloured marble have been unearthed, giving rise to the possibility that the interior walls were decorated with mosaic.

According to an inscription found on the still complete entrance, this temple was dedicated to Artemis, and both the building and the cult statue inside were paid for by a woman named Aurelia Armasta and her husband, using their own funds.

Contrary to general rules of classical temple architecture, its entrance lies to the right, indicating that it may have belonged to a demi-god or hero.

Of all the official and cult buildings to be found in this broad central area, one of the most interesting is in the form of a typical Roman period house.

The atrium held an important place in the daily activities of houses such as this, and was also used as a reception room for guests.

The left part of the tomb is decorated with the depiction of a mounted warrior dateable to the 4th century BC.

In the family tombs of the wealthy on the other hand, the sarcophagi were placed inside a richly ornamented structure built in the shape of the deceased together with his lineage, or the names of those given permission to be buried alongside him.

In addition, one finds inscriptions calling on the fury of the gods to prevent the sarcophagi from being opened and to scare away grave robbers.

These fines, ranging from 300 to 100,000 denarii and generally paid to the city treasury in the name of Zeus Solymeus, took the place of legal judgments.

Some of the remains found there are the walls, the Hadrian's triumphal arch, the cisterns, the theater, the gymnasium, the agora, the odeon and the heroon.