Ruins Of Soli, Or Pompeiopolis, Asia Minor

Description

Soli Ancient City, located 14 km west of Mersin, was founded by Dorians from the island of Rhodes around 700 BC. The name of the city, Solia, means Sun. The city was captured by the Roman Empire army under Pompeius in 78 BC.After this period, the name of the city was changed to the Roman Commander Pompeius. The adoption of Christianity as the official religion during the Byzantine period turned Soloi into an episcopal center. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 527. Later, the city was abandoned due to Arab and Sassanid raids. There are 41 giant columns in the Ancient City, which are also depicted in the engraving. It is estimated that the total number of these columns along the road before the earthquake was 200. In addition, the ruins of the ancient port, breakwater, bath and aqueduct are found today.