6901
A view to the southwest along the fortification walls of Assos showing the line of the enceinte as well as the scattered remains of the necropolis outside of the main gateway. The walls were constructed of carefully cut and fitted ashlar blocks during the 4th century BC. Originally, the fortification stretched for more than 3 km and featured towers from which to harangue attacking forces. The walls are very well-preserved, with some sections standing up to 14 m. in height.
Assos occupies the crest of a ridge and its adjoining plateau above the sea. The city was founded by immigrants from Lesbos early in the 1st millenium BC. During the 6th century it was ruled by Lydia and later by the Persians. Ariobazanus, the satrap of Assos, revolted against the Persians in 365 BC, but he was defeated by Artaxerxes. The settlement flourished in the 4th century , during which the Troad was ruled by Hermeias, a eunuch who was a student of Plato and who fostered a vibrant intellectual community in the city before being captured by the Persians and tortured to death. Assos declined in importance during the 4th century, being overshadowed by Alexandria Troas and was ruled by Pergamon from 241-133. The site was first excavated in the 19th c. by Americans, and is currently under investigation by Turkish scholars.
6901
A view to the southwest along the fortification walls of Assos showing the line of the enceinte as well as the scattered remains of the necropolis outside of the main gateway. The walls were constructed of carefully cut and fitted ashlar blocks during the 4th century BC. Originally, the fortification stretched for more than 3 km and featured towers from which to harangue attacking forces. The walls are very well-preserved, with some sections standing up to 14 m. in height.
Assos occupies the crest of a ridge and its adjoining plateau above the sea. The city was founded by immigrants from Lesbos early in the 1st millenium BC. During the 6th century it was ruled by Lydia and later by the Persians. Ariobazanus, the satrap of Assos, revolted against the Persians in 365 BC, but he was defeated by Artaxerxes. The settlement flourished in the 4th century , during which the Troad was ruled by Hermeias, a eunuch who was a student of Plato and who fostered a vibrant intellectual community in the city before being captured by the Persians and tortured to death. Assos declined in importance during the 4th century, being overshadowed by Alexandria Troas and was ruled by Pergamon from 241-133. The site was first excavated in the 19th c. by Americans, and is currently under investigation by Turkish scholars.