Acmonia Ancient City

Acmonia Ancient City

Acmonia, an ancient city situated on a high hill along the Lydian King's Road, is located in the Banaz district of Uşak province. The city boasts a significant number of mosaic remains, as well as Roman and Byzantine ceramic pieces, building foundations, two temple podiums, theater pits, and architectural stone-marble fragments.

In ancient times, Acmonia served as a bishopric seat, as confirmed by Byzantine-era documents from the 10th to 13th centuries. The city had several bishops during this time, including Gennadius (who later transferred to Antiochia), Optimus, Theotimus, Paulus, Eustathius, and others. Gennadius participated in the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD and signed against simony in Constantinople. He also contributed to determining the date of Easter each year through planetary computations at Nicaea II.

Acmonia Ancient City

Despite its historical significance, Acmonia has never undergone scientific research or systematic excavations. However, in 2000, the Uşak Archaeology Museum conducted a rescue excavation to protect the gymnasium floor mosaics, which were discovered due to illegal excavations. Unfortunately, the excavation was halted after mosaics were stolen and destroyed.

Acmonia appears to have been an important Jewish settlement between the 3rd century BC and the 3rd century AD, as evidenced by uncovered inscriptions. Records suggest that the Jewish community may have even governed the town, as Emperor Severus and Caracalla permitted them to hold state offices in Acmonia.

The city is enclosed by fortification walls, and a Roman theater can be found in the northeastern part, facing the village. Inscriptions on the gymnasium floor mosaics suggest that sporting events such as wrestling, volleyball, and boxing took place in the city during the 1st century AD.

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