Laertes Ancient City

Laertes Ancient City is located approximately 850 meters above sea level on the southern slopes of Cebel-i Reis Mountain, at the mouth of the Dim Valley, within the Taurus Mountains of Türkiye. It lies about 25 kilometers from Alanya and was situated within the boundaries of the Mountainous Cilicia region during antiquity. The city was described by Strabo as “established on a breast-shaped hill with a harbor for anchoring.”

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Laertes features archaeological remains dating to the final quarter of the 7th century BCE, though the origin of its name remains uncertain. In the Trojan legend, Laertes is mentioned as the father of Odysseus, and thus the city’s name first appears in mythological sources. The absence of structures from the Hellenistic period is attributed to the region being under the control of pirates during that time, which limited construction activities.

The city underwent significant development particularly during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius (41–54 CE), and several temples and buildings from this period have survived to the present day. A stone inscription dated to the 6th century BCE, displayed at the Alanya Archaeological Museum, documents issues related to property ownership and the activities of the provincial official’s servants. Additionally, a military diploma from 138 CE provides information regarding the city’s military organization.

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Among the structures identified in the city are an agora, an exedra (semicircular seating unit), a bathhouse, cisterns, a theater (odeon), houses, and temples. Temples dedicated to Emperor Claudius, Apollo, and Zeus Megistos have been found. The most well-preserved remains at Laertes include watchtowers. The necropolis is located to the south of the city, where orthostat fragments and their supporting bases are visible.

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