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Hierapolis was probably established by Eumenes II of Pergamum in 190 B.C.E. It became a sacred city, its chief religious festival being the Letoia, named after the goddess Leto, a local variant of the Great Mother of the Gods, who was honored with orgiastic rites. In the first century, Hierapolis wa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Business world (San Juan, Philippines) Philippines), 2007-08, p.1
Main Author: Aquino, Norman P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
2nd century
Earthquakes
Marble
Sarcophagi
Theater
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Hierapolis was probably established by Eumenes II of Pergamum in 190 B.C.E. It became a sacred city, its chief religious festival being the Letoia, named after the goddess Leto, a local variant of the Great Mother of the Gods, who was honored with orgiastic rites. In the first century, Hierapolis 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). According to historians, the theater was built in the second century B.C.E. under the Roman Emperor Hadrian during a period of extensive rebuilding following a devastating earthquake in 60 C.E. Later a theater was built on a slope further to the east in the second century, with a capacity of 15,000. It is now under restoration. It has several relics and statues depicting mythological figures.
ISSN:0116-3930