Laodicea ad Lycum 



Nestled in the Lycus River Valley of modern-day Turkey, Laodicea ad Lycum is a treasure trove of ancient history and biblical significance. Known as one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, this city flourished during the Roman and Byzantine periods, leaving behind a legacy of architectural wonders and historical intrigue.

A City of Wealth and Commerce

Laodicea was strategically located along key trade routes, making it a bustling hub of commerce and wealth. The city was renowned for its production of fine black wool and the development of a famous eye salve, which contributed to its prosperity. Its citizens lived in luxury, reflected in the grandeur of its buildings, including sprawling villas and public baths.

Religious Significance

Mentioned in the Book of Revelation, Laodicea is cited as a church that had grown "lukewarm" in its faith. This reference highlights the city’s spiritual struggles amidst its material wealth. Visitors today can explore the ruins of the ancient churches and reflect on the spiritual messages tied to this historic site.

Architectural Marvels

Laodicea boasts impressive ruins, such as a massive theater, a smaller odeon, and a grand stadium. The city’s two aqueducts are remarkable engineering feats, illustrating the advanced infrastructure of the time. Excavations have also uncovered intricate mosaics and marble streets that once adorned the city.

Modern-Day Exploration

Today, Laodicea continues to captivate visitors with its well-preserved ruins and panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. Archaeological efforts are ongoing, shedding light on the city’s rich history and its role in ancient civilizations.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a spiritual seeker, or simply an adventurer, Laodicea ad Lycum offers a profound glimpse into the past. A visit to this remarkable site promises an unforgettable journey through time. 

There has been a large excavation work in the area conducted by Pamukkale University in Denizli since 2002 and in 2013 it was inscribed in the Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in Turkey. 

It is known that before the foundation of this city, there was another city known as Diospolis earlier, later as Rhodas. As the king Antiochus II founded this city on the site of the older town and named it after his own wife, Laodice , along with many other cities, it was called Laodicea ad Lycum to distinguish it from the others. Lycus is the ancient name of a nearby river which is called Çürüksu today. 

The city was also an important center for the Jews of Asia Minor as 2,000 Jewish families were brought from Babylonia by the king Antiochus III the Great in the third century B.C.  This is proved by the notes of Cicero, a Roman scholar of the first century B.C., who states that twenty talents of Jewish gold destined for the Temple of Jerusalem were confiscated by a consul named L.V. Flaccus in Laodicea in 61-60 B.C.  Also, the city was a huge center of the trade of the black wool, and as the Jews held a key role in trade, it is known that they were given some privileges.

The tangible evidence of the Jewish community in the city is the menorah graffiti with a cross on top on the lower colonnade in the two-storeyed ‘Nymphaeum A’ on the north side of the Syrian Road, which was the main avenue of the city. An inscription on the architrave suggests that the nymphaeum was dedicated to the emperor Septimius Severus, and it is known that it was repaired during the reign of Diocletian and was destroyed by an earthquake at the end of the fifth century A.D.

On the column there is a menorah in the part below, above is a deeply incised globe and a cross, finally a palm frond and an angular horn on both sides. It is known that the menorah was incised first, and it was followed respectively by the palm frond, the horn and the cross with a globe below. On top of each tip of the menorah are a circle and three lines which are suggested to be rays of light. This style of menorah, the palm frond and the horn can also be seen in the necropolis of the nearby Hierapolis.