Hierapolis

Hierapolis is located on a terrace 300 feet above the Lycus river (modern Çürüksu), a tributary of the Büyük Menderes (the classical Meander), across the valley from ancient Laodicea on the Lycus and modern Denizli [1]. The Phrygians built a temple dedicated to the mother goddess Cybele on the site probably in the first half of the 7th century BC [1]. Hierapolis was founded by the Seleucids in the time of Antiochus I (281–261 BC) and received polis status by Eumenes of Pergamon (197–160 BC) [1]. The city was famous for its high quality woollen fabrics and dye products [1]. The city was expanded with the booty from the 190 BC Battle of Magnesia where Antiochus the Great was defeated by the Roman ally Eumenes II [1]. In AD 17, during the rule of the emperor Tiberius, a major earthquake destroyed the city [1]. Hierapolis was first excavated by the German archaeologist Carl Humann during June and July 1887 [1]. The Hellenistic city was built on a grid with streets running parallel or perpendicular to the main thoroughfare [1].