Sardis Archaeological Sitevisitor guide.

Sardis was founded according to myth by King Meles in the Hermus (Gediz) basin, along the Pactolus (Sart) stream on the northern slopes of the Tmolus (Bozdağ) mountains. Capital of the Kingdom of Lydia, Sardis became a Persian satrapy capital after the Persians conquered Lydia in the 6th century BC. Retaining its prominence in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, it evolved into an important bishopric center in the Byzantine era. BATH-GYMNASIUM COMPLEX The colonnaded palaestra occupying the eastern half of the complex was used for athletic activities, while the vaulted halls to the west served as baths. The two-story colonnaded hall connecting the palaestra to the baths is called the Marble Court. South of the palaestra, a basilica-form building was converted into a synagogue during the Roman Imperial period (3rd century). TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS Begun in the Hellenistic period, the temple likely stood upon the sanctuary of an earlier Cybele cult. Built in the Ionic order with a pseudodipteral plan, it was initially dedicated to Artemis. Later, the cella was divided into four chambers where portrait heads of Artemis, Zeus Polieus, Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, and Empress Faustina were discovered. Destroyed in the 17 AD earthquake, the temple was rebuilt on its original plan under Emperor Tiberius. In the 4th century, a chapel was added to its southeastern corner. DOWNLOAD MUSEUM BROCHURE NEARBY MUSEUMS MANİSA MUSEUM AKHİSAR MUSEUM AND AKHİSAR TEPE CEMETERY ALAŞEHİR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE AIGAI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE