Sacred ways in Western Anatolia

This thesis is a study based on the fact that the sacred roads in Anatolia are not researched under a single title. These roads, which were used only for religious purposes in the early periods, were also used for transportation purposes in later periods. Very few of the sacred roads connecting cities and sacred areas have survived to the present day. This research was motivated by the need to examine the sacred paths, which many scientists work on, in more detail and to collect this information. Eight sacred roads of Western Anatolia were examined. The roads between Bergama-Asclepios, Ephesos-Artemision, Miletos-Didyma, Nysa-Akharaka, Alabanda-Gerga, Mylasa-Labraunda, Stratonikeia-Lagina, Stratonikeia-Panamara are the sacred roads examined in this thesis. Each path was examined under a separate heading; Basic information is given about the structural and physical features and functions of the roads, their geographical location, topography, archaeological data such as roadside settlements, necropolis, temples, statues, fountains, ceremonies and festivals. In addition, maps were provided to better understand the route of the roads and the distance between the city and the sacred area was tried to be clearly conveyed. The aim of this study is to investigate the nature of the relationship between the city and the sacred road by considering the function of the sacred roads in Western Anatolia from a broad perspective, to determine the content of the theological activities organized on the sacred roads, to examine the archaeological and historical data regarding the sacred roads, and to examine the role of the roads in the historical process. KEYWORDS: Ancient Period, Western Anatolia, Theology, Sacred Area, Sacred Way.