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Ancient City

Assos

AS-oss · Modern Assos (Behramkale), Çanakkale Province, Turkey · 39.4878° N, 26.3369° E

Assos was a fortified Aeolian port city on the Gulf of Adramyttium. Acts 20:13-14 records that Paul chose to travel the road from Troas to Assos on foot alone while his companions sailed, rejoining the ship there.

Archaeology

The dominant landmark is the Doric Temple of Athena (c. 530 BC) crowning the acropolis, one of the few Doric temples in Asia Minor. Excavations have also revealed the city walls, a well-preserved harbor, a theatre, and a Hellenistic agora, with ongoing digs still refining the site's Hellenistic-to-Byzantine occupation phasing.

Ruins of the Doric Temple of Athena on the acropolis of Assos, Turkey
Ruins of the Doric Temple of Athena on the acropolis of Assos, Turkey — source & licence
The ancient harbor at Assos, from which Paul's companions sailed to meet him
The ancient harbor at Assos, from which Paul's companions sailed to meet him — source & licence

On a modern map

Assos today

Further reading

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