Acmonia Ancient City

Acmonia Ancient City

Acmonia, an ancient settlement located on a lofty hill along the Lydian King's Road, is found in the Banaz district of Uşak province. The city is home to a remarkable array of mosaic remains, along with Roman and Byzantine ceramics, the foundations of buildings, two temple podiums, theater pits, and fragments of architectural stone and marble.

In antiquity, Acmonia functioned as a bishopric seat, as evidenced by Byzantine-era records from the 10th to 13th centuries. During this period, the city was home to several bishops, including Gennadius (who later moved to Antiochia), Optimus, Theotimus, Paulus, Eustathius, and others. Gennadius took part in the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD and signed a decree against simony in Constantinople. He also played a role in calculating the date of Easter each year through astronomical computations at Nicaea II.

Acmonia Ancient City

Despite its historical importance, Acmonia has never been subject to scientific research or systematic excavations. However, in 2000, the Uşak Archaeology Museum initiated a rescue excavation to preserve the gymnasium floor mosaics, which had been uncovered due to illegal excavations. Unfortunately, the excavation was halted after the mosaics were stolen and destroyed.

Acmonia seems to have been a significant Jewish settlement from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, as indicated by discovered inscriptions. Historical records suggest that the Jewish community may have even played a role in governing the town, as Emperor Severus and Caracalla allowed them to hold state offices in Acmonia.

The city is surrounded by fortification walls, and in the northeastern section, facing the village, a Roman theater can be found. Inscriptions on the gymnasium floor mosaics indicate that sporting events such as wrestling, volleyball, and boxing were held in the city during the 1st century AD.

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