Soli Pompeiopolis Ancient City The ancient city of Soli Pompeiopolis was established by Greek settlers originally from Rhodes, making it one of the earliest Greek colonies in the region. The city thrived and grew to become one of the largest urban centers in Asia Minor, even producing its own coins during the period of Persian dominance. Initially, Soli was governed by Athens, but later it fell under the control of Alexander the Great's forces during the Hellenistic era. The city flourished under the Seleucid dynasty, and among its notable citizens were the poet Aratus, famous for his work Phaenomena, which served as an introduction to constellations and other key astronomical subjects. The philosopher Chrysippus, renowned for his 1st-century BC contributions to Stoic philosophy, is also believed to have been born in Soli. The weakening of the Seleucid kingdom led to rising dangers from Parthian and Arab forces targeting the Soli coastline. In 83 BC, the city of Antioch (Antakya) called upon King Tigranes I of Armenia for help to protect Syria and its coastal regions. After Tigranes succeeded in his campaign, Soli was left in ruins and plundered, with most of its population forcibly relocated to Eastern Anatolia. Soli Pompeiopolis experienced a revival when a Roman commander arrived in 68 BC. Pompey used the city as a naval stronghold during his fight against pirates near Cilicia. After defeating them, he pardoned many pirates and resettled them in Soli. To honor his role, the city was renamed "Pompeiopolis." The harbor played a vital role in Pompeiopolis' development, providing economic prosperity to its inhabitants. The city successfully resisted Persian attacks and became a bishopric during the Byzantine period. The port continued to serve as a significant source of revenue, overseeing trade and regulating ship licenses. Sadly, Pompeiopolis was struck by a devastating earthquake in 525 AD from which it never fully recuperated. Throughout the centuries, the region came under the control of various rulers, including the Umayyad Caliphate, Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, the Crusaders, the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, the Ramanids, and finally, the Ottoman Empire. Only fragments remain of this once-thriving port city; however, 41 columns still stand along the main thoroughfare leading to the harbor. Among these, 33 retain their capitals, while the columns on the southern side rest on additional bases that once supported statues of Roman emperors and notable local figures. If you have any questions or would like more information about the Soli Pompeiopolis Ancient City, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.