Rodiapolis and internal Lycia in Roman – Early Byzantian time

Abstract

The town of Rodiapolis is located in the hinterland of the southeastern part of Lycia. Its archaeological complex has been well preserved and largely studied, which allows us to draw conclusions about its state and development in the Roman – Early Byzantine period (from the formation of the Roman province of Lycia in the 1st century to mass migrations and Arab raids in the 7th century). As elsewhere in the empire, the period of great prosperity (second – early third centuries) led to the flourishing of the city and the construction of its main archaeological complex. In Roman times, Opramoas (Opramoy) acted here and in the rest of Lycia – one of the largest private benefactors (evergetes) of the Roman Empire. In the early Byzantine period, Byzantinization of the city began, changes in its topography associated with global historical processes. The city existed without catastrophic upheavals until the Arab raids of the 7th century. Currently, Rhodiapolis has attracted the attention of modern archaeologists and historians. Active archaeological research is being carried out at the monument. The inscription of Opramoas was published – one of the largest monuments of Roman epigraphy.

Acknowledgements: the work was carried out under the supervision of Professor of the Department of General History, Doctor of Historical Sciences Bolgov Nikolay Nikolaevich.