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Stratonikeia

Stratonikea, Eskihisar, Milas
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Stratonikeia is nestled in the abandoned village of Eskihisar, on the road from Milas to Yatagan.

The ruins date back to the reign of King Seleukos I, who lived in the 3rd century BC. The excavations in this ancient city, which is connected to the religious center of the region, Lagina by a sacred road, were carried out during the summer months by a delegation headed by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adil Tirpan. The remains unearthed from this city are exhibited in the Milas and Mugla museums.

Stratonikeia has a sad and interesting story. When the wife of King Seleukos I of Syria died, he saw a young and beautiful woman named Stratonike and married her. However, Antiochus, the son of Seleukos and Stratonike were in love. After the wedding, Antiochus fell severely ill, and no physician could find a cure for his illness. Herostratos, a famous Egyptian physician who was in Caria at that time, was called to the palace, and he was asked to see the patient as well. The Egyptian physician also struggled for days, but he could not treat the patient either.
One day, Stratonike entered the patient's room, and at that moment Antiochus' face became red and his heart began to beat faster. Seeing this situation and sensing something from the eyes of the two lovers, the physician pressed Antiochus as soon as Stratonike left the room and learned the truth.

The doctor thought long and hard about how to reveal this truth to the king. When he was summoned before Seleukos, he said, “Your Majesty, I understand what your son's illness is. Your son is in love with my wife and that's why he fell ill.” The king said, “Will you spare your wife from my beloved son? We must save my son at all costs!". Then the doctor asked, "My king, put yourself in my place. What would you do if you were in my place?”. The king replied, “If my son loved my wife, I would have given her without hesitation. Because Antiochus is my everything.” The doctor who expected such an answer said, “Then I must tell you the truth. Your son is in love with Queen Stratonike. They were in love before you married her," and thus he revealed the truth.

After that Antiochus married Stratonike and founded this city in the name of her, who was first his stepmother and then his wife.

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With the ongoing excavations and the placement of columns and entrance gates, Stratonikeia started to look like a real ancient city in the last two or three years. We recommend you visit this ancient city, which is undergoing serious excavation and restoration work.

Entrance is free

It can be visited between 8:30-17:00 every day.

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Thumbnail: “Antiochus I and Stratonice”, Oil Painting- Jacques -Louis David (1774).

Visiting hours

Monday 08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00
Thursday 08:30 - 17:00
Friday 08:30 - 17:00
Saturday 08:30 - 17:00
Sunday 08:30 - 17:00
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