Temple of Jupiter (Silifke)
Ruins of Temple of Jupiter refers to an archaeological site in Silifke, Turkey.
Roma Tapınağı | |
 From the south | |
 .svg.png.webp){kind=icon} Shown within Turkey | |
| Location | Silifke, Mersin Province, Turkey |
|---|---|
| Region | Cilicia Trachea |
| Coordinates | 36°22′33″N 33°55′49″E |
| Type | Temple |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Mostly in ruins |
Silifke is an ilçe (district) in Mersin Province. Although the city which was founded by Seleucus I Nicator is an old city, the ground level of the city was elevated because of the floods caused by Göksu River (Calycadnus of the antiquity) and there aren't many archaeological remains on the surface of the present city fabric. Jupiter's temple is a notable exception because it was originally built on a 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) high platform. Presently, there is no official restoration work on the ruins. But they are protected by fencing. They are situated to the west of the İnönü Boulevard of Silifke [1] at 36°22′33″N 33°55′49″E.
History
Jupiter's Temple was built in the 2nd century AD during the Roman Empire. According to a legend told by the historian Zosimus of the 5th century, when the fields around Silifke were infested by grasshoppers, Silifke citizens asked the god Apollo to protect their crop. Apollo sent a flock of grasshopper-eating birds. The people built the temple to show their gratitude.[2]
It was a peripteros type temple with 14x 8 corinthian columns. Its outer dimensions were 40 metres (130 ft) length and 21 metres (69 ft) width. The height of the columns were 10 metres (33 ft). Presently only one column is standing. During the Byzantine Empire era, the temple was transformed into a church.[3]
See also
References
- Silifke map page
- Selevkos news (in Turkish)
- Mersin Ören yerleri,Kaleleri, Müzeleri ISBN 978-605-4196-07-4 p.194
