The Archeological Site of Assos Turkey
“But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus.”
Acts 20:13-15
Assos is a beautiful site situated at the south end of what was the Toad region of Asia Minor (Turkey) overlooking the Aegean Sea to the south and a beautiful valley to the north. The Temple to Athena was built at the acropolis, highest point, with Doric columns made from the rock of the mountain. It would have been visible from sea as one sailed to the port and from land for miles.
The rest of the city was built on terraces descending the mountain at the south side. Founded in the 7th century BC by people’s from the island of Lesbos, most of the ruins are Hellenistic and much of the Hellenistic walls surrounding the city and their gates are still visible. Assos is mentioned in Hittite texts and in Homers Iliad. Assos was famous for a philosophical school founded in 350ish BC and Aristotle himself lived there for several years. Its commercial port was functional all the way into the 18th century and it still has a small port right on the Aegean - the port that Paul used at the end of his 3rd missionary journey - unlike many of the ancient Asia Minor ports that silted up.
The middle terrace has remains of the agora and the stoas on the north and south sides. There was a square bouleterion with remains still visible. The west gate remains still have the Roman era road passing through it, the Via Tauri and there are remains of the road down to the port as well - unfortunately we didn’t have time to scout for that. This road passes through the gate and the necropolis begins with sarcophagi and grave stones still visible.
It a long walk on a modern paved path from the temple on the acropolis, around the north side of the e mountain to the middle agora on the south. There is a site entrance gate on this level. To our dismay it was closed, and I hope that no one on our bus got a picture of us climbing up over the fence - no time or energy go back the way we came!
On the next terrace level down from the middle city are remains of the Hellenistic theater built into the hillside and overlooking the port.
The walk up to the acropolis is quite a steep trek!! But it’s a pretty little village with shops along the winding road to the top. You can stop and pretend that you want to look at the crafts when really you just need to catch your breath . At the top, before entering the ancient Hellenistic gate and the park entrance there is a Mosque. The Mosque was first a church and some of the architectural features of the church are still visible.
#assos #turkey #ApostlePaul #BiblicalArchaeology #bible #thirdmissionaryjourney #asiaminor
