Ancient City of Pessinus

Pessinus is an ancient Phrygian city located near the village of Ballıhisar in the Sivrihisar district of Eskişehir Province in Türkiye. This sacred city, with a history extending back to the 2nd millennium BCE, is particularly known as one of the central cult sites of the mother goddess Cybele. During the Roman Empire, it developed into a Greco-Roman polis and became a regional center.

Location and Geography

Pessinus is situated in a valley approximately 950 meters above sea level in the eastern part of Central Phrygia. It lies about 150 km south-southwest of Ankara and 100 km northeast of Eskişehir. The ancient city developed around the Gallos Stream and was surrounded by the Sangarius River (Sakarya) and Mount Dindymos (modern Günyüzü Mountain).

History

Although Pessinus is first mentioned in historical sources in the 2nd century BCE, archaeological evidence pushes its settlement history back to the 1600s BCE. According to ancient authors, the city was founded by the legendary Phrygian king Midas. The cult of Cybele shaped the city’s early religious structure. Its religious significance endured into the Roman period; Pessinus transitioned from a theocratic temple state to a Roman colony and a city authorized to mint its own coins. In 25 BCE, the city joined the Roman Empire and from the 1st century CE onward rapidly adopted the urban fabric of Rome, adorned with monumental buildings. Emperor Julianus worshipped in this city in 362 CE and emphasized the pagan traditions of Pessinus.

Geophysical survey results of the late Roman-early Byzantine fortress (EKırşehir Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Excavations and Research

The ancient site of Pessinus was first identified in 1834 by the French traveler Charles Texier. Systematic archaeological excavations began in 1967 under the direction of Pierre Lambrechts on behalf of Ghent University in Belgium. From 1987 to 2008, the excavations were led by John Devreker, and since 2009 they have been directed by Gocha Tsetskhladze. Excavations are currently carried out by an international team.

Remains from the Ancient City of Pessinus (Eskişehir Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Architectural Remains and Urban Structure

During the Roman period, the city expanded to approximately 88 hectares and features a rich architectural ensemble:

• Imperial Temple: Construction began during the reign of Augustus and was completed under Tiberius.
• Colonnaded Street: Runs along the Gallos Stream; may have also functioned as a canal.
• Theaters of Severus and Hadrian: The theater dating to the Hadrianic period had a capacity of 8,000 spectators.
• Other identified structures include a stepped theater, agora, bridge remains, a late Roman palace, a fortress, and defensive towers.

The city was constructed using local stone and marble quarried from the İstiklalbağı site, approximately 12 km away.

Cult Areas and the Cult of Cybele

In antiquity, Pessinus was regarded as the capital of Cybele. The temple of Cybele, the city’s religious center, has not yet been definitively located, but numerous altars, sacred precincts, and ritual structures have been identified within the city. Religious practices associated particularly with the Galli priests (eunuch priests) are extensively documented at this site.

Early Settlement and Necropolis

Archaeological finds in the area surrounding the city include burnt layers, pottery fragments, and Phrygian defensive walls dated to the 1500s BCE. Marble sarcophagi and grave goods from the 3rd to 2nd centuries BCE have been discovered in necropolis areas. Rock-cut tombs, pools, and altars from the Phrygian period have also been identified in the Tekören region north of Pessinus.

City Defense and Rural Area

Due to its location within a natural valley, Pessinus was not enclosed by walls. Instead, security was maintained through six to seven watchtowers positioned at strategic points. The rural territory controlled by the ancient city extended from Tekören in the north to Çaykoz and Dinek villages in the east.

Pessinus Today

Modern research aims to establish Pessinus as a model archaeological site in terms of digital documentation, systematic excavation, and cultural heritage management. Information regarding the city’s social, religious, and political structure makes significant contributions to both archaeology and ancient history studies.