Patara - Antalya, Turkey: A Journey to the Heart of Lycian Legacy

Hello everyone!

In today's post, I'll be sharing my experience visiting the ancient city of Patara in Antalya last summer. Venturing into this ancient city after a dip in the scorching summer sun, I felt as though I was infused with an overdose of history coursing through my veins. The ancient city, rejuvenated after renovation efforts, boasts a delightful walking path, and the presence of a cafeteria offered a much-needed respite. After a long walk, we had the chance to sit at the café, sipping our teas to relieve the fatigue. So, let's dive into our journey.

To convey the grandeur of the city, I captured this miniature model of Patara, providing a bird's-eye view of its ancient splendor.  

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Patara: Unearthing the Ancient Lycian Gateway

Patara is an ancient city located near the town of Kaş in Antalya, close to the border with Muğla Province, lying to the east of the Eşen River. It was known as the maritime gateway of western Lycia to the world. The earliest written record about this place dates back to the 13th century BCE, found in a source temple at Yalburt, which contains Luwian hieroglyphic inscriptions. The Luwian language is one of the oldest known languages of Anatolia.

The knowledge that the Hittites had conquered Lycia comes from hieroglyphic texts found in the Yalburt Plateau. The text mentions several cities, including Luka, Vitis, Tala, Pina, and Patara. Due to the unknown sequence of the blocks on which these inscriptions were written, it is challenging to precisely estimate the year of the Hittite invasion.

Echoes from the Past: The Yalburt Plateau Hieroglyphs telling tales of ancient LyciaImage Source: L'iscrizione luvio-geroglifica di Yalburt

Patara's historical narrative is rich and varied, reflecting its status as a significant player in ancient regional politics and commerce. Its heritage is not only a testament to the city's past prominence but also to the layers of history that make up the tapestry of Anatolia's diverse cultures.

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Stones Whisper History: Deciphering Patara's Tale through Ancient Hieroglyphs

The Yalburt Yaylası Hieroglyphs stand as a silent testament to the complexity and sophistication of ancient Lycian civilization. These carvings, etched into stone centuries ago, offer a window into the world of the Hittites and their conquests. The intricate symbols, composed of Luwian hieroglyphs—one of the oldest recorded languages of Anatolia—reveal a narrative of power, conquest, and diplomacy. The mention of cities such as Luka, Vitis, Tala, Pina, and Patara within these texts provides invaluable insights into the political landscape of the time.  

For those who can't see the part where Patara is mentioned in the image above, I'm first sharing how the hieroglyphs 'pa' and 'tara/i' are depicted. These translations have been taken from the source provided below.

The Luwian Hieroglyph spelling "pa"Image Source: Corpus of Hieroglyphic Luwian Inscriptions Vol. III. Part 5.3 The Syllabary

The Luwian Hieroglyph spelling "tara/i". Image Source: Corpus of Hieroglyphic Luwian Inscriptions Vol. III. Part 5.3 The Syllabary

In the image below, I've highlighted the section where 'Patara' appears.

  Image Source: L'iscrizione luvio-geroglifica di Yalburt

During the Roman Empire, Xanthos was known as the city that stood against Brutus, the assassin of Caesar. Lycia was also the last of the Hellenistic states to be annexed to the Roman Empire. Fun Fact: It is claimed that Saint Nicholas, who holds a significant place in the Christian world, was born in the city of Patara.  

Lycian League

The Lycian League is historically significant as the first democratic union formed by 23 independent city-states. Despite the rugged terrain of its territories and attempts by external powers to conquer them, the League maintained its strength and did not relinquish its democratic governance. Interestingly, the League emerges in history as one of the earliest formations to inspire modern governance structures. Although the first record of the League dates back to the 2nd century BCE, numerous coins and inscriptions have been found as evidence of its existence.

Democracy's Ancient Cradle: The Patara Parliament Building, where echoes of Lycia's legislative past still stand.

Patara was also one of the important cities within the Lycian League, primarily due to its role as a main port. While Patara's voting rights in the assembly were limited to three votes, the same as Xanthos—one of the largest cities—it should be noted that larger cities were granted three votes, with others receiving two or one, depending on their population density. Representation of cities in the parliament was highly regarded, and there was an emphasis on the importance of the populace and social life during this period. The parliament building, which could accommodate 400 people and measured 43 meters in length and 30 meters in width, was renovated in 2012 and reopened to visitors. Below, you can see a 9-second video that I filmed myself.

https://youtube.com/shorts/lR3azwueC1E

Theatre

When you enter the theater with its stunning capacity of 6,000 seats, you get goosebumps. Its majestic architecture, with a stage approximately 42 meters long and 7 meters wide, seems to transport people on a journey through time. The theater is thought to have been constructed in either the 2nd or at the latest, the 1st century BCE

Stepping into History: The grand Patara Theater, where the echoes of ancient applause still resonate among the ruins.

The theater is thought to have been constructed in either the 2nd or at the latest, the 1st century BCE. It hosted gladiatorial and animal fights, and despite its age, you can still see inscriptions that are relatively new in terms of its history. Although there are many similar ancient theaters in Turkey, it was not difficult for me to notice the unique architecture of the Patara Theater.

Ancient Greek Words Carved in Stone: A testament to Patara's rich cultural tapestry.

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Harbor Street

We conclude our article with a stroll down the harbor street. This thoroughfare, which connects the agora in front of the parliament to the harbor, showcases some of Lycia's most well-preserved streets. 

Walking Through History: The Harbor Street of Patara, a marble-lined road once bustling with ancient Lycians.

Adorned with marble and granite, it's a reminder of the past grandeur, where mosaics once beautified the path, their absence today a slight source of sadness. Despite the earthquakes that caused parts of the street to collapse and submerge underwater, a portion remains visible. Known for a sophisticated sewage system and the absence of wheel ruts, this street was primarily designed for foot traffic, a bustling pedestrian avenue of ancient times.

Timeless Columns: The silent sentinels of Patara's Harbor Street, standing as remnants of Lycian grandeur.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to sharing the next travel post with you.

@steinhammer 

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