"Aspendos or Aspendus (ancient name)" Personal Page by Alikatt

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the Roman theatre

We arrived at sunset. A concert had just finished so we had to endure the noise of deconstruction of the stage? Where was my iPod when I needed it? Despite that hiccup, the beauty of this almost perfectly preserved extant Roman theaterwas truly captivating. Architect Zeno built this theater. Its seats, floors and wall panels are made of marble.Estimated capacity of the theater is 15,000 although for some performances during the summer , the Turks manage to squeeze in 40,000 people!

Aspendus is an Anatolian name

impressive

It is believed that Aspendos was an existing settlement as early as 6th century and 4th century BC. During 6th century BC most of Pamphylia was occupied briefly by the Lydians. Their king was defeated in 546 BC by the Persians. The Persians were driven away for some time by the Athenians.
But by 386 BC, Aspendus fell once more to Persian rule until the arrival of Alexander the Great in 333 BC.

wow, superb acoustics!

Uno bambino caro...

Thanks to the Romans who emphasized "hearing" VS the Greeks' "looking", in Aspendos, the Romans placed a wooden sounding board in sloping grooves on the high side walls of the stage structure to heighten the acoustics. Kudos to them I was able to practice my aria right there. I didn't attract an audience so no record deals for me either.

the sun hitting the top of this wall

Wow!

How magnificently these intricately carved stones shone under the sun! I think I am a old soul since I appreciate ancient stuff.

a window of photo opportunity

windows

Windows... actually I still prefer Mac. Hahaha.

vaulted gallery

let it rain...

Behind (and slightly above) the highest row of seats, there is this vaulted gallery where people can seek shelter from rain or other nature-driven occurence.

This is steep!

one step at a time...

Page Updated Jun 1, 2009
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Comments (99)

DSwede Feb 13, 2010 at 6:31 AM Report Abuse

Another birthday coming up!! I'm roughing it in the tropics of Indonesia right now... you'd enjoy it thoroughly.
ruffen Sep 5, 2009 at 12:48 AM Report Abuse

You didn't make it there???? Me neither, but the summer down there and this year is not finished yet ;)
SFHulaGIrl Jun 9, 2009 at 1:51 PM Report Abuse

Hi Alicia! Will you make it to Peter's VT meeting this Friday (June 12th) at Ponzu? Drinks at 7; dinner at 8.
loisl Feb 18, 2009 at 11:24 PM Report Abuse

Have a very Happy Birthday, Ali. Are you coming for the March 13 meet at Calzones? XO, Peter
mikkie50 Mar 3, 2008 at 2:42 AM Report Abuse

:-))) thanks ali belated birthday greeting to you . Yeah like you i am hooked on Istanbul. i could quite happily live there. By the bosphoros of course :-)
Etoile2B Feb 19, 2008 at 10:09 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday neighbor!
onurozel Feb 19, 2008 at 3:12 AM Report Abuse

Mutlu yillar..!
GracesTrips Feb 18, 2008 at 11:47 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday, Ali! Hope you have a wonderful day!
Bokhari76 Feb 18, 2008 at 8:12 PM Report Abuse

Hi Ali. Happy Birthdya to you. Wish you many happy returns of the day.
mesoblonda Feb 18, 2008 at 7:37 PM Report Abuse

Hope you celebrated your birthday this weekend in style!