Wikipedia

Alaşehir

Alaşehir(Turkish pronunciation:[aˈɫaʃehiɾ]) is a municipality anddistrictofManisa Province,Turkey.[2]Its area is 971 km2,[3]and its population is 104,717 (2022).[1]It is situated in the valley of the Kuzuçay (Cogamusin antiquity), at the foot of the Bozdağ Mountain (Mount Tmolusin antiquity). The town is connected toİzmirby a 105 km (65 mi) railway.

Alaşehir
Districtandmunicipality
Map showing Alaşehir District in Manisa Province
Map showing Alaşehir District in Manisa Province
Alaşehir is located in Turkey
Alaşehir
Alaşehir
Location in Turkey
Alaşehir is located in Turkey Aegean
Alaşehir
Alaşehir
Alaşehir (Turkey Aegean)
Coordinates:38°21′N28°31′E/ 38.350°N 28.517°E/38.350; 28.517
CountryTurkey
ProvinceManisa
Area
971 km2(375 sq mi)
Population
(2022)[1]
104,717
• Density110/km2(280/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+3(TRT)
Area code0236
Websitewww.alasehir.bel.tr

Founded inantiquityasPhiladelphia(Greek:Φιλαδέλφεια,i.e., "the city of him who loves his brother" ), the town was known as such untilit was conqueredby theOttomansin 1390.

Alaşehir stands on elevated ground commanding the extensive and fertile plain of theGediz River(Hermusin antiquity), presenting an imposing appearance when seen from a distance. It has about 45mosques.There are small industries and a fair trade. From one of themineral springscomes a heavily charged water popular around Turkey.[4]

Within Turkey, the city's name is synonymous with the driedSultanaraisins,although cultivation for the fresh fruit market, less labour-intensive than the dried fruit, has gained prominence in recent decades. As Philadelphia, Alaşehir was a highly important center in theEarly ChristianandByzantineperiods. It remained a strong center ofOrthodox Christianityuntil the early 20th century,[5]and remains atitular seeof theRoman Catholic Church.[6]

Name

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The Turkish name Alaşehir, which translates as "multicolored town", is first attested in the memoir of the 13th-century historianIbn Bibi.[7]The town was founded by KingAttalus II Philadelphus(r. 159–138 BC) ofPergamonwith the Greek name "Philadelphia".[7][8]According to numismatic evidence, Philadelphia was briefly given the Latin name "Neocaesarea" during the reigns of theRomanemperorsCaligula(r. 37–41) andClaudius(r. 41–54).[9]The town reverted to its original name Philadelphia after Claudius, but under EmperorVespasian(r. 69–79), the town used the Latin appellationFlaviato honorthe imperial house(i.e. "Flavia Philadelphia" ).[10]The town remained known as Philadelphia until the Ottomanconquestin 1390.[11]

Geography

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Philadelphia was historically located inLydianear the northeast foot ofMount Tmolus(modern-day Bozdağ) in the rich valley of the Cogamis river, which was a southern tributary of theHermus River(modern-day Gediz).[8][9]It was located in southernCatacecaumene,on the road connectingSardisandLaodicea.Philadelphia was well known for its vulnerability to earthquakes.[9]

History

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Church of St John, Philadelphia (Alaşehir)

Ancient episcopal sees of the late Roman province of Lydia are listed in theAnnuario Pontificioastitular sees:[12]

Ancient Philadelphia

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Alaşehir began as perhaps one of the first ancient cities with the name Philadelphia. It was established in 189 BC by KingEumenes IIofPergamon(197–160 BC).Eumenes IInamed the city for the love of his brother, who would be his successor,Attalus II(159–138 BC), whose loyalty earned him the nickname, "Philadelphos", literally meaning "one who loves his brother". The city is perhaps best known as the site of one of theseven churches of Asiain theBook of Revelation.[13]

Lacking an heir,Attalus III Philometer,the last of theAttalid kings of Pergamum,bequeathed his kingdom, including Philadelphia, to hisRomanallies when he died in 133 BC. Rome established the province ofAsiain 129 BC by combiningIoniaand the formerKingdom of Pergamon.[14]

St. Jean Church, carved stone slab lying on the floor in Alaşehir

Roman Philadelphia

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Philadelphia was in the administrative district ofSardis(Pliny NH 5.111). In AD 17, the city suffered badly inan earthquake,andRoman EmperorTiberiusrelieved it of having to pay taxes (TacitusAnnales2.47, cf. Strabo 12.8.18, 13.4.10, John Lydusde mensibus4.115). In response, the city granted honors to Tiberius. Evidence from coinage reveals thatCaligulahelped the city; underVespasian,Philadelphia received his cognomen, Flavia. UnderCaracalla,Philadelphia housed an imperial cult. Its coins bore the wordNeokoron(literally, "temple-sweeper", caretaker of the temple). A small theatre, located at the northern edge of Toptepe Hill, is all that remains of Roman Philadelphia.

St. Jean Church, carved stone slab lying on the floor in Alaşehir

Philadelphia in the Book of Revelation

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Although several ancient cities bore the name of Philadelphia,[15]it is generally agreed to be the one listed among theseven churcheswritten to byJohnin theBook of Revelation.[16]Philadelphia is listed as the sixth church of the seven. A letter specifically addressed to the Philadelphian church is recorded inRevelation 3:7–13 (Revelation 3:9). The city's history ofearthquakesmay lie behind the reference to making her church "a pillar in the temple" (Revelation 3:12).[citation needed]

Aside from the fact thatSmyrnawas warned oftemptationlasting "ten days", and Philadelphia was promised a total exemption, or preservation, from temptation, Philadelphia shares with Smyrna the distinction of receiving nothing but praise fromChrist.That explains why modernProtestantchurches sometimes use "Philadelphia" as a component in the local church's name as a way of emphasizing its faithfulness.[citation needed]

Philadelphia in Patristic literature

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Philadelphia remained a major Christian center also after the New Testament period. One ofIgnatius of Antioch'sepistles in early 2nd century was addressed to the Christians of that city.

Church historianEusebiusrecognizedAmmia of Philadelphia,an early Christian prophetess active in the late 1st and early 2nd centuries CE, as a key contributor to the apostolic prophetic tradition in the Philadelphia community. Her ministry aligned withorthodox Christianity,adhering to mainstream beliefs of the time. Eusebius described her as one who “prophesied under theNew Covenant,"distinguishing her fromMontanism,who sought to claim her legacy.[17]

Byzantine Philadelphia

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Philadelphia was a prosperous Byzantine city that was called the "littleAthens"in the 6th century AD because of its festivals and temples.[18]Presumably, that indicates that the city was not entirely converted toChristianity.In about 600, the domed Basilica of St. John was built, remains of which are the main archaeological attraction in the modern city. The Byzantine walls that once surrounded the city have all but crumbled away. A few remnants are still visible at the northeast edge of town, near the bus stand. The city was taken by the Seljuk Turks in 1074 and 1093–1094. In 1098, during theFirst Crusade,it was recovered byByzantine EmperorAlexios I.In the 11th to the 15th centuries AD, it was the seat of thedoux(governor) andstratopedarches(military commander) of theThrakesiontheme.

It was the centre of several revolts against ruling Byzantine emperors: in 1182, led byJohn Komnenos Vatatzes,and 1188–1205 or 1206, led byTheodore Mangaphas,a local Philadelphian, againstIsaac II Angelos.At that time, the bishopric of Philadelphia was promoted tometropolis.[19]In the 14th century, Philadelphia was made the metropolis of Lydia by the Greek Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople, a status that it still holds. It was granted this honour because the city did not capitulate to the Ottomans. The city was prosperous especially in the 13th and 14th centuries: there was a Genoese trading colony, and the city was an important producer of leather goods and red-dyed silk (whence, perhaps, its Turkish name, which probably means "red city" ).[20]By the 14th century, the city was surrounded by Ottoman emirates but maintained nominal allegiance to the Byzantine emperor. The city remained prosperous through trade and its strategic location.

Philadelphia was an independent neutral city under the influence of the LatinKnights of Rhodes,whenit was taken in 1390byBayezid I.Prior to Bayezid I's conquest, it was the last Byzantine Greek stronghold in Asia Minor.[7][9]Twelve years later, it was captured byTimur,who built a wall with the corpses of his prisoners.[4]Later, it passed into the rule ofJunayduntil it was ultimately captured byMurad II.[21]

Modern period

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From 1867 until 1922, Alaşehir was part of theAidin Vilayetof theOttoman Empire.In 1890, its population consisted of 17,000 Muslims and 4,000 Greeks according toVital Cuinet.[7]Through the end of theGreco-Turkish War,Alaşehir was severely affected by a fire that broke out. Patrick Kinross wrote, "Alaşehir was no more than a dark scorched cavity, defacing the hillside. Village after village had been reduced to an ash-heap."[22]It is estimated that some 3,000 people died, and 4,300 out of 4,500 buildings were destroyed in the burning of Alaşehir.[23]

A suburb ofAthens,Nea Filadelfia( "New Philadelphia" ), is named from the Greek refugees from Alaşehir (in Greek known as "Philadelphia" ) who settled there following the war and thepopulation exchange between Greece and Turkeyof 1923.

The city was the site of theAlaşehir Congressin 1919.

In 1969, amagnitude 6.7earthquake struck the city and killed 53 people.[24]

Archaeological remains

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For survey of remains see Erdoğan (2015).[25]

Composition

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There are 87neighbourhoodsin Alaşehir District:[26]

  • Akkeçili
  • Alhan
  • Aydoğdu
  • Azıtepe
  • Badınca
  • Bahadır
  • Bahçedere
  • Bahçeliköy
  • Baklacı
  • Barış
  • Belenyaka
  • Beşeylül
  • Caberburhan
  • Caberfakılı
  • Caberkonaklı
  • Çağlayan
  • Çakırcaali
  • Çamlıbel
  • Çarıkbozdağ
  • Çarıkkaralar
  • Çarıktekke
  • Çeşneli
  • Dağarlar
  • Dağhacıyusuf
  • Delemenler
  • Erenköy
  • Esentepe
  • Evrenli
  • Fatih
  • Girelli
  • Göbekli
  • Gülenyaka
  • Gülpınar
  • Gümüşçay
  • Gürsu
  • Hacıbey
  • Hacıhaliller
  • Horzumalayaka
  • Horzumembelli
  • Horzumkeserler
  • Horzumsazdere
  • Ilgın
  • Ilıca
  • Işıklar
  • İsmailbey
  • İsmetiye
  • İstasyon
  • Karacalar
  • Karadağ
  • Kasaplı
  • Kavaklıdere
  • Kemaliye
  • Kestanederesi
  • Killik
  • Kozluca
  • Kurtuluş
  • Kurudere
  • Matarlı
  • Menderes
  • Narlıdere
  • Örencik
  • Örnekköy
  • Osmaniye
  • Piyadeler
  • Şahyar
  • Sakarya
  • Sarıpınar
  • Sarısu
  • Selce
  • Serinköy
  • Serinyayla
  • Şeyhsinan
  • Sobran
  • Soğanlı
  • Soğuksu
  • Soğukyurt
  • Subaşı
  • Tepeköy
  • Toygarlı
  • Türkmen
  • Uluderbent
  • Üzümlü
  • Yeni
  • Yenice
  • Yeniköy
  • Yeşilyurt
  • Yuvacalı

Notable people from Alaşehir

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Notable bishops

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Church of St. John.
Greek-Orthodox metropolises in Asia Minor,c. 1880.

Philadelphia remains the seat of theMetropolis of Philadelphia,[27]which has been atitular seesince the Greco-Turkish population exchange.

Although the Philadelphia area wasan Orthodoxarea, theRoman Catholic Churchhave maintained a rivaltitular bishopof Philadelphia since the 1500s.[28]Catholic bishops have included:

  • Bernardo Jordán, (14 Apr 1535 Appointed – 1539)
  • Philippe Musnier (15 Jun 1545 –)
  • Marcus Lyresius (8 Jan 1603 Appointed – 28 Jun 1611)
  • Georg Christoph Rösch (16 Jul 1612 Appointed – 30 Nov 1634)
  • Michael Dalmeras (23 Oct 1623 Appointed – 13 Dec 1629)
  • William Giles(9 Sep 1904 Appointed – 28 Jul 1913)
  • Domenico Pasi (9 Sep 1913 Appointed – 15 Dec 1919)
  • Francis Vazhapilly(7 Apr 1921 Appointed – 21 Dec 1923)
  • Agnello Renzullo (11 Apr 1924 Appointed – 20 Oct 1925 )
  • Luigi Mazzini(24 Jun 1926 Appointed – 13 Dec 1950 Died)
  • Pietro Zuccarino (5 Jan 1951 Appointed – 29 Nov 1953)
  • João de Deus Ramalho, (9 Dec 1953 Appointed – 25 Feb 1958 )
  • Augustin Arce Mostajo(22 May 1958 Appointed – 26 Nov 1970)

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ab"Address-based population registration system (ADNKS) results dated 31 December 2022, Favorite Reports"(XLS).TÜİK.Retrieved12 July2023.
  2. ^Büyükşehir İlçe Belediyesi,Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  3. ^"İl ve İlçe Yüz ölçümleri".General Directorate of Mapping.Retrieved12 July2023.
  4. ^abOne or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). "Ala-Shehr".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 472.
  5. ^Philadelphia,International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915).
  6. ^Pétridès, S. (1913)."Philadelphia".In Herbermann, Charles (ed.).Catholic Encyclopedia.New York: Robert Appleton Company.
  7. ^abcdBerger, Albrecht (2010)."Alaşehir".In Fleet, Kate;Krämer, Gudrun;Matringe, Denis; Nawas, John;Rowson, Everett(eds.).Encyclopaedia of Islam(3rd ed.). Brill Online.ISSN1873-9830.
  8. ^abHabicht, C. (1989). "The Seleucids and their rivals". In Astin, A. E.;Walbank, F. W.;Frederiksen, M. W.;Ogilvie, R. M.(eds.).The Cambridge Ancient History, Volume VIII: Rome and the Mediterranean to 133 B.C.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 376.ISBN978-0-5212-3448-1.
  9. ^abcdOlshausen, Eckhart (2006)."Philadelphia".In Salazar, Christine F.; Landfester, Manfred; Gentry, Francis G. (eds.).Brill's New Pauly.Brill Online.
  10. ^Brent, Allen (1999).The Imperial Cult and the Development of Church: Order Concepts and Images of Authority in Paganism and Early Christianity Before the Age of Cyprian.Brill. p. 188.
  11. ^Gibb, H. A. R.;Kramers, J. H.;Lévi-Provençal, E.;Schacht, J.;Lewis, B.&Pellat, Ch.,eds. (1960)."Ala S̲h̲ehir".The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition.Volume I:A–B.Leiden: E. J. Brill. p. 346.OCLC495469456.
  12. ^Annuario Pontificio 2013(Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013ISBN978-88-209-9070-1), "Sedi titolari", pp. 819-1013
  13. ^Revelation 1:11
  14. ^Smith, William,ed. (1854–1857)."Asia".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography.London: John Murray.
  15. ^W. M. Ramsay,The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia(1904), p. 391-412.
  16. ^Revelation 1:11
  17. ^Kidson, L. M. (2018, May 28).Ammia in Philadelphia.Engendered Ideas.https://engenderedideas.wordpress /2018/05/28/ammia-in-philadelphia/
  18. ^Lydus de mensibus 4.58
  19. ^Kiminas, Demetrius (2009).The Ecumenical Patriarchate.Wildside Press LLC. p. 89.ISBN9781434458766.
  20. ^I. Beldiceanu-Steinherr, "Notes pour l'histoire d'Alaşehir (Philadelphie) au XIVe siècle." In H. Ahrweiler, 1984,Philadelphie et autres études. Byzantina Sorbonensia 4.Centre de recherches d'histoire et de civilisation byzantines. Paris, p. 33
  21. ^"ALAŞEHİR Ege bölgesinde Manisa iline bağlı ilçe merkezi.".TDV Encyclopedia of Islam(44+2 vols.)(in Turkish). Istanbul:Turkiye Diyanet Foundation,Centre for Islamic Studies. 1988–2016.
  22. ^Kinross, Lord(1960).Atatürk: The Rebirth of a Nation.Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 318.ISBN978-0-297-82036-9.
  23. ^Mango,Atatürk,p. 343.
  24. ^"M 6.7 - 9 km WSW of Kula, Turkey".earthquake.usgs.gov.U.S. Geological Survey.Retrieved6 January2022.
  25. ^Orçun Erdoğan, "The Remains from Late Antiquity and the East Roman Periods and Their Location within the Lydian City of Philadelphia: New Comments,"Mediterranean Journal of Humanities5/2 (2015): 251-274.
  26. ^Mahalle,Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  27. ^Kiminas, Demetrius (2009).The Ecumenical Patriarchate.Wildside Press. p89.
  28. ^Philadelphiaat catholic-hierarchy.org.

References

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Wikivoyage has a travel guide forAlaşehir.
  • The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia And their place in the plan of the Apocalypse,W. M. Ramsay,D.C.L, Litt.D., LL.D., Professor of Humanity in the University of Aberdeen, 1904
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