Like with many ancient cities, the people and the culture was affected by the changing of ruling control. For Antioch, it was the Romans that would influence the growth and changes of the city , from the way building were constructed to the design of their streets. In this article, you will also learn what happened to the city and if it was able to stay prosperous.
In 188 BC, Antiochus III was defeated by the Romans. Pisidian Antioch then became a free city as a result. It would continue to grow under the rule of Rome. In 25 BC, Augustus made sure that the region was under Roman control. He created the province called Galatia, which included many parts of central Asia Minor. Antioch became known as a Roman colony, where many army veterans chose to settle down for their retirement. It was given the name of Colonia Caeserea Antiochia.
The activity of Pisidian Antioch initiated a boom in construction through the 1st century AD. The city started to show the signs of Roman culture, including baths, an aqueduct, temples, and paved streets. The area soon became home to the famous roads of Rome. Antioch was soon at the crossing of an influential highway (the Via Sebaste) , which was built in 6 BC. This highway provided a link between the interior of Asia Minor and the coast.
The people that lived in Antioch were a blend of Roman vets and their families, as well as descendants of the earlier Hellenistic settlers. Other residents were people with a Phrygian and Pisidian background. It was around 50 AD that Paul and Barnabas visited the city and established the Christian community. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries, the city continued to prosper. In 295 AD, the city was named the capital of Pisidia, which was a new province created by Diocletian. New features started to emerge in the city, such as a bigger theater and porticoes.
However, in the 8th century, Pisidian Antioch underwent an invasion and the city was destroyed by Arabs. The city never made a full recovery. Until 12th century, the city did keep its role as the seat of the metropolitan bishop. For years, the city went forgotten until excavations headed by the British Chaplain F.V.J. Arundell started in 1833. More archeologists grew interested in the region and research is still conducted to this day.
In the article titled, “Attractions of Pisidian Antioch,” you will learn about some of the sights that tourists enjoy visiting when exploring the region. There are ruins that still give a glimpse at the architecture and features that thrived in the past.