Roman and Byzantine Ankara observed by foreign travellers

Abstract

Due to its strategic location and being crossroads of major roads Ankara was one of the most important cities of Anatolia throughout the ages especially during the Roman and Byzantine periods. During the Ottoman period the export of camelot to European countries played an important role in the recognition of Ankara as a trade center that urged European travellers to visit the city. They described Ankara with respect to their own point of view which contributed to our cultural heritage. In this article buildings, spolia and inscriptions belonging to the Roman and Byzantine periods are put forward within the framework of the information given by the travellers.

Keywords

• Ankara
• Roman Period
• Byzantine Period
• Travellers
• Temple of Augustus
• Ankara Castle
• Spolia
• Inscriptions