Hierapolis

The ancient Greco-Roman and Byzantine city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white "castle".
It wasn't far from the hot springs of Pamukale.  Some of our group decided to hike up the hill; others of us took a shuttle to the ruins.

In the first century it was part of the tri-city area of Laodicea, Colossae, and Hierapolis.  This connection between the cities lies behind Paul’s reference to Hierapolis and Laodicea in his epistle to the Colossians (Col 4:13).  

The people from the nearby town of Laodicea would come to this area and use the temple of Apollo, at the center of Hierapolis.

Hierapolis became a healing centre where doctors used the thermal springs as a treatment for their patients. 

Through Paul's influence, a church was founded here while he was at Ephesus.

 The tomb of Phillip -

"The apostle Philip spent the last years of his life here.  The town's Martyrium was alleged to have been built upon the spot where he was crucified in AD 80. His daughters were also said to have acted as prophetesses in the region."

A Byzantine church was built over the site where Phillip is said to have been martyred.

 An overhead picture shows the octagonal room.

 Christian symbols on the arches.

Cemetery - many wealthy of the city buried here.

The menorah shows that many Jewish people had assimilated into the wealthy establishment.
The Jewish population in the area was possibly as high as 52,000 in 62AD!

"In 133 BC, when Attalus III died, he bequeathed his kingdom to Rome. Hierapolis thus became part of the Roman province of Asia. In AD 17, during the rule of the emperor Tiberius, a major earthquake destroyed the city."