{"id":57931,"date":"2026-01-09T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/the-city-of-gladiators-and-eternal-love-stratonikeia\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T16:26:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T13:26:13","slug":"ancient-city-stratonikeia-trip-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/ancient-city-stratonikeia-trip-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The city of gladiators and eternal love: Stratonikeia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A journey through the layers of history<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Intertwined
Intertwined remains of architectural structures from different periods of the ancient city<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Atriya during the Hittite period and as Khrysaoris or Idrias in the Classical era, the settlement adopted the name Stratonikeia in the Hellenistic period. In the first quarter of the 3rd century BCE, King Antiochus I of the Seleucid dynasty bestowed the name on the city in honor of his wife, Stratonike, for whom he held great affection. During the Hellenistic era, Stratonikeia became an important city in Caria, changing hands repeatedly under Seleucid, Ptolemaic, Macedonian, and Rhodian rule. Around 130 BCE, it was incorporated into the Roman Empire, and, thanks to the stability of the Pax Romana, the city entered its most prosperous age. From the early imperial period onward, extensive construction projects were carried out, including a grand theater and one of the largest sports complexes of its time. Although the population began to decline after the Roman Imperial era, settlement continued from the 11th century onward under the Mente\u015fe Principality and later during the Ottoman period. The village of Eskihisar, established over the ancient city, was relocated mainly after the 1957 earthquake, yet even today a few families continue to live in the historic houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mythological legends and eternal love<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The remains of an ancient structure standing with carved column capitals and stone beams in Stratonikeia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The name Stratonikeia derives from a passionate love story that left its mark on the city\u2019s founding legend. The love between Seleucid King Antiochus and Queen Stratonike became an oft-told tale in the ancient world. According to the legend, the young Antiochus fell gravely ill, wasting away from his love for Stratonike, until the king realized the truth and, as a remedy, gave his wife to his son. With this act of sacrifice, Antiochus immortalized his love by naming the city after Stratonike. Another distinctive feature of Stratonikeia, from a mythological perspective, is its sacred centers dedicated to ancient gods. The city was linked to two major cult sites, the Temple of Hecate in Lagina and the Temple of Zeus in Panamara. During annual rituals, Hecate\u2019s sacred relics were brought from Lagina to the city, while the statue of Zeus was carried from Stratonikeia to Panamara and then returned, reinforcing the city\u2019s spiritual rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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