Soli Pompeipolis Ancient City

Soli Pompeiopolis Ancient City is located approximately 2 kilometers south of the current settlement areas in the Viranşehir Neighborhood of the Mezitli District in Mersin. The city is generally believed to have been founded in the 8th–7th centuries BCE and was one of the important port cities of the Cilicia region. Ancient sources attribute its foundation to different groups of colonists: Strabo mentions the Achaioi and the Lindians from Rhodes, while Pomponius Mela notes the colonists from Argos and Rhodes.

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The city has been present on the historical stage since early periods, as evidenced by Luwian inscribed seals and weapons dating to the Middle Bronze Age, and by the presence of the philosopher Chrysippos and the mathematician and astronomer Aratos who lived in the 3rd century BCE. During the period of Persian domination from the mid-6th century BCE until Alexander the Great’s campaign in Anatolia, Soli held an important position. In the 5th century BCE, it maintained a degree of autonomy by minting its own coins.

During the Hellenistic period, the city flourished under Seleucid rule but faced difficulties in the 1st century BCE as the Seleucids weakened. It was plundered by King Tigranes of Armenia, and its population was forced to migrate. During this time, piracy increased throughout the Cilician region. In 67 BCE, the Roman commander Pompeius settled the pirate population in Soli to end these activities. Following this event, the city became known as Pompeiopolis, meaning “City of Pompeius,” in addition to its earlier Greek name Soloi and Latin name Soli.

In the Roman period, the city experienced renewed prosperity. Emperor Hadrian provided financial support to Soli’s harbor during his visit to the region in 130 CE. During the Christian era, the city served as a bishopric center. It suffered damage from a major earthquake in the 6th century and was later subjected to Arab raids in the 7th century.

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The main structures preserved at Soli Pompeiopolis Ancient City include the Colonnaded Street, Soli Mound, the Ancient Harbor, and the Roman Baths. The Colonnaded Street is approximately 350 meters long and 14.5 meters wide, featuring double porticoes with Corinthian capitals; today, 33 of the original 200 columns remain standing. Some of the column capitals are sculpted, and inscriptions on consoles facing the street bear busts of Roman emperors or high-ranking officials. The Soli Mound is about 22 meters high and 300 meters in diameter; surface surveys have uncovered ceramic fragments dating from the Early Iron Age to the Roman period. Excavations have revealed amphora sherds, lamps, and textile weights. The Ancient Harbor consists of two breakwaters, parts of which are still visible today; the western breakwater is better preserved, measuring approximately 160 meters in length and 23 meters in width. The Roman Baths survive today only as fragments of walls. The city also contained a theater, temples, a necropolis, and aqueducts, all documented by European travelers in the 19th century.

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Archaeological excavations at Soli Pompeiopolis have been conducted since 1999 under the leadership of Professor Dr. Remzi Yağcı, in collaboration between the Mersin Museum and various universities. Excavations have uncovered monumental structures from the Hellenistic period and remains of a monumental tomb attributed to the astronomer and poet Aratos. The goal of the excavations and restoration projects is to transform the ancient city into an archaeopark.