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Tralles


Tralles
Photo Information
Copyright: Murat D OZER (mdo) Silver Note Writer [C: 1 W: 0 N: 10] (264)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-10
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 8800
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-12-07 12:15
Viewed: 241
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Tralles Description
The ruins of ancient Tralles stand encircled by olive groves 100m/328ft above Aydin on the steep mountain terrace known as Güzel Hisar (superb views). The site is in a restricted military zone and special permission is needed to visit it.

Originally founded by Argive colonists, at the time of its first mention (by Xenophon) Tralles was a fortified Persian military training area in the satrapy of the young Kyros. The town's surrender to Alexander the Great in 334 B.C. marked the start of a long period of prosperity and cultural vitality. It continued to flourish under Lysimachos, then under the Seleucids, when the town was known as Seleukia, and also under the kings of Pergamum, the Attalids, who maintained a palace here. Tralles
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figs were every bit as renowned then as they are today. The town was also famous for its school of philosophy. Having fallen to the Romans in 133 B.C., in 26 B.C. Tralles was devastated by an earthquake, being rebuilt largely through the beneficence of Augustus. The appreciative citizens renamed the city Caesarea, a name it retained until the late first century. In the 14th century Güzelhisar (as it was then known) gave way to Aydin, newly established seat of the Aydin Ogullari built on the plain immediately below. Tralles's ancient buildings were pillaged for their stone.

The earliest excavations, undertaken in about 1888, bore little fruit, but in 1902/03 archeologists from the Ottoman Museum in Istanbul uncovered the remains of baths and a stoá. The major find was a marble statue of a youth wearing a mantle (the Ephebe of Thalles, now in the Archeological Museum in Istanbul).

Visiting the ruins

Stripped of nearly all its stone (some of it still found in buildings in the old part of Aydin) the remains of the huge stadium are not particularly impressive. Beyond the stadium, to the north, lie the ruins of the theater - substantial walls of masonry with a mortar and rubble core - built up against the side of the acropolis. Note especially the unusual tunnel under the orchestra. At one time the 280m/920ft-high acropolis was supplied with water by means of a high-pressure conduit. Near the stadium are two ruined Early Byzantine churches with interesting ground plans.

A little to the right of the agora are three ruined arches which the Turks used to call "Üç Göz" (Three Eyes). These are now virtually the only remains of a large Late Roman gymnasium which had brick walls faced with marble.

The city walls, enclosing an oval area 1,800m/1,970yds long and 1,000m/1,094yds wide, have been reduced to just a few fragmentary remnants. On its east side Tralles was protected by the Tabakhane Çayı.
banaei, shelbeesmom, Jonela, appalcarp has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To shelbeesmom: Thanks Lindamdo 1 12-07 13:41
To bigil: Thanksmdo 1 12-07 12:43
To Jonela: Thanksmdo 1 12-07 12:42
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Murat,

Very nice architectural photo with very nice colours and great details I like the sky it is moody and gives the shot a very dramatic feel to it imho. Well done.

Regards
Jon

  • Great 
  • bigil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 266 W: 37 N: 56] (2109)
  • [2008-12-07 12:33]
  • [+]

Quelle belle composition Murat.
Cette photo démontre une grande thecnique.
Bravo.
Gilles

A stunning HDR Murat! I love how you did this, very nice details, RICH color, a bold subject matter that is so interesting to see! Be sure and give credit to the website that you got this information from, really good notes, wonderful work!
B-)
Linda

Hi Murat
Excellent capture of this male Whinchat with good pose and composition, sharp details and bright natural colours.

TFS
**MAB**

Merhaba. Fascinating shot, Murat. I've been watching the history of the area on History Channel which focused on Alexander. Nice to see this. TFS

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