Unearthed Secrets: Inside the Grand Roman-Era Library Hidden in Turkey’s ‘City of Gladiators’
Ever wonder what it would be like to stumble upon a 2,000-year-old library buried under layers of history—like a time capsule for book lovers and history nerds alike? Well, archaeologists in Turkey just dropped that bombshell in the ancient city of Stratonikeia, revealing a sprawling library first built between 300 and 30 B.C.E., no less! This wasn’t just some tiny shelf of dusty scrolls; we’re talking about a monumental space that served as a cultural hub, surviving earthquakes, Roman makeovers, and centuries of silence underground. It makes you think—if they had social media back then, would this library have been the ancient equivalent of the ultimate knowledge influencer? Dive into how this “city of gladiators” cultivated wisdom and why this archaeological wonder is turning heads today. LEARN MORE
The library, which was first built between 300 and 30 B.C.E., was “of considerable scale and significance” in the ancient city of Stratonikeia.
Durmuş Genç/Anadolu AgencyExcavations have been ongoing at Stratonikeia since 1977.
Archaeologists in Turkey have announced the discovery of a massive library in the ancient city of Stratonikeia. Excavations have been ongoing for the past five years, and now researchers have mapped the complete layout of the structure.
The library was abandoned after an earthquake around 610 C.E. and buried for centuries, but now this 2,000-year-old structure is being celebrated as “a testament to the timeless value of knowledge.”
The Sprawling Library In The ‘City Of Gladiators’
Archaeologists believe the library was originally built during the Hellenistic period, between 323 and 30 B.C.E., and it likely remained in use until an earthquake destroyed it in the seventh century C.E. It was redesigned during the Roman era, and mosaics were added in the fourth century C.E., indicating that it was an important part of life in Stratonikeia for hundreds of years.
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