Amorium Ancient City

Amorium Ancient City

The ancient city of Amorium has a history dating back 2,000 years, and has been inhabited by various civilizations such as the Phrygians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans. The city is divided into an upper and lower section, located 70 kilometers north of Afyonkarahisar, with a distance of 13 kilometers east of the now defunct Emirdağ District.

Amorium Ancient City

Amorium played a significant role during the Classical and Hellenistic periods, and was among the first cities permitted to issue its own currency, signifying its importance in Eastern Phrygia during the early 1st century BCE. It was also a prominent commercial center that attracted many people with regular festivals and fairs throughout Late Antiquity.

Amorium Ancient City has a rich history connected to several notable figures. According to ancient records, writers such as Aesop are thought to have lived there.

One of the most significant religious figures in Islam, Salman the Persian, visited Amorium in search of spiritual truth. He had grown up near the city and studied with a group of Christians there until he was 45 years old, when he traveled to Medina to meet Mohammed. After converting to Islam, he earned the title "He is of my family" from Muhammad for his valuable contributions to Islam and humanity. Additionally, it is believed that Battal Gazi, who played an important role in the Islamization of Anatolia, died near Afyonkarahisar while possibly participating in the siege of Amorium. His final resting place is the Seyitgazi Tomb, located about 100 km from Amorium.