Urbanization process of Attouda

Attouda was founded on a natural hill and its slopes to the north of Mount Salbakos, which formed the natural boundary between the regions of Caria and Phrygia in ancient times. This location, surrounded by steep slopes and deep valleys, provided the city with a strong defensive advantage. Archaeological finds dating back to the 7th and 6th centuries BC have been unearthed at Attouda. The city reached its zenith during the Roman Imperial Period, facilitated by the contributions of the Carminii Family and the commencement of quarrying operations in the marble quarries of Mount Salbakos. Architectural remains, epigraphic and numismatic data from this period demonstrate that Attouda possessed a degree of economic and political autonomy. Within the scope of this thesis, the historical development and religious structure of Attouda have been investigated in detail; rock-cut chambers, vaulted structures, and architectural blocks within the city have been examined. Furthermore, phalluses representations associated with tumuli, woven-technique sarcophagi, marble sarcophagus fragments, terracotta cylindrical coffins, tomb stele, rock-cut tombs, and vaulted tomb structures identified both within the city center and in the necropolis areas have been evaluated based on their materials, craftsmanship quality, and architectural features. These evaluations reveal the existence of individuals belonging to different economic classes within the ancient Attouda society and provide concrete evidence of the social stratification between these classes. The construction of Attouda on terraces reflects the city's multi-layered structure, both architecturally and religiously. Sanctuaries dedicated to the chief goddess Meter Adrastos located within the city's territorium and the Temple of Men Karou in the village of Karoura, attest to Attouda's religious significance. Meanwhile, its role as a suffragan bishopric subordinate to Hierapolis during the Eastern Roman Empire Period, and its hosting of the Mecnun Dede Tomb during the Seljuk Period under the reign of Alaeddin Keykubad I, stand as tangible indicators of the city's historical continuity.