ANCIENT CITY OF ANTANDROS
Imagine a city that has endured for thousands of years, perched on a hill overlooking the sea, at the foot of Mount Kaz. This is precisely the ancient city of Antandros! Located in Altınoluk, a district of Edremit in Balıkesir, this ancient settlement was strategically positioned to control both sea and land routes, making it vital for trade and defense alike.
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Founding and Legends of Antandros
According to ancient authors, the origins of Antandros reach back to the earliest times. Some sources claim the city was founded before the Trojan War, while others attribute its construction to the Pelasgians, Aeolians, or Leleges. In Virgil’s Aeneid, it is recounted that after the Trojan War, Aeneas had his ships built here. The city’s shipyards, renowned for using timber from Mount Ida (Mount Kaz), established Antandros as a major center of shipbuilding throughout antiquity.
Key Structures in the City
Among the most striking discoveries at Antandros are the mosaics and frescoes of a Roman-era villa known as the House on the Slope. This villa resembles a luxurious residence of its time, complete with a toilet, kitchen, terraces, and a bathhouse. The mosaics, crafted from colorful stones, retain their vibrant hues to this day.
Another significant area is the necropolis, or ancient cemetery. Here, sarcophagi, cube-shaped tombs, tiled-roof graves, and even examples of cremation have been found. These findings have greatly enhanced our understanding of burial customs in antiquity.
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Historical Journey of the City
In the 570s BCE, Antandros came under Lydian rule, followed by the Persians, Alexander the Great, and eventually the Roman Empire. During the Christian era, it became a bishopric center. Additionally, between the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, the city minted silver coins bearing the head of Artemis on the obverse and a goat on the reverse.
Antandros Today
Excavations at Antandros are still ongoing. Artifacts unearthed are displayed at the Balıkesir Kuva-yi Milliye Museum and the Bursa Archaeology Museum. Visiting Antandros is like embarking on a journey through time and touching the stories of the past.
