Alabanda

Alabanda (Greek Ἀλάβανδα, also known as " karisches Antioch " known) was an ancient city in Caria in Asia Minor, near the present-day Doğanyurt (also called Araphisar ), in the province of Aydın, Turkey.

The city lies between two hills, the area is known for its dark marble. According to Stephanos of Byzantium, there were two Carian cities named Alabanda, but this will be confirmed by any other ancient source. The city was founded by the ancient mythology, Carian Local Heros Alabandos. In the early days of the Seleucid period was Alabanda part of Chrysaorischen League, a loose connection Carian cities, including Alinda, Mylasa and Stratonikeia that should primarily coordinate the common trade, but also defense tasks. In honor of Antiochus III. , Who secured the peace of the city was renamed Alabanda in Antioch. 201 BC the city of Philip V of Macedon was conquered. After the Seleucids at the Battle of Magnesia was fought on Sipylos in the year 190 BC by the Romans under Lucius Cornelius Scipio asiaticus, Alabanda got its old name back. Soon after the Romans conquered the city. Quintus Labienus took over in 40 BC, the city at the head of a Parthian troops a. After the residents had massacred the crew, the Parthians confiscated all the treasures and possessions. During the Roman Empire Alabanda was, according to Pliny and Strabo mentions conventus seat of a high standard of living and decadence of the inhabitants of the city. Until the mid-3rd century AD, the city minted its own coins. In Byzantine times the city was a bishop's seat, the occupation of which is traceable on the basis of sources for the years 451-879. At its famous inhabitants of the city, the speakers Menekles and Hierocles are worth mentioning. The ruins of the city lie west of Çine and include, among other things, a theater, a temple, a Buleuterion and other buildings. Upon excavation, a few inscriptions came to light.

Type locality

Alabanda taken as the type locality for the mineral almandine garnet and was also named after this place. The name similar manganese mineral Alabandin was indeed also named after this place, but the location has not yet been confirmed.