Aspendos Ancient City

Aspendos is an ancient city in Pamphylia, located about 25 miles (40 km) east of the modern city of Antalya. The city was founded around 1000 B.C. by Greeks who may have come from Argos. The wide spread of its coinage throughout the ancient world indicates that, in the 5th century B.C., Aspendos had become the most important city in Pamphylia. Aspendos is known for having the best-preserved theatre of antiquity. With a diameter of 96 meters (315 ft), the theatre provided seating for 7,000. The theatre has hosted the annual Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival organized by the Turkish State Opera and Ballet since 1994, with international participation of opera and ballet companies and an audience of about 10,000.