In western Turkey in ancient times the Lycus Valley hosted three important
towns, Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis. Colossae was 18 Km southeast of
Laodicea and 24 kilometres south-south-east of Hierapolis. Herodotus recorded
Colossae as a large city
Xerxes stopped at Colossae 481 BCE and Cyrus the Younger passed
through in 401 BCE Colossae lay on the trade route from Sardis to Kelainai
(the later Apameia) and up to the time of Pliny it was regarded as one of the
most famous cities. Yet it was to be supplanted by the 1st century CE by
Laodicea.
Laodicea held the more commanding position on the trade routes originally
established during the Persian empire's occupation of Asia Minor and the river
junction of the Lycus and Maeander (now Menderes). In 133 BCE Laodicea became
part of the Roman Empire and was made an assize town, conventus juridicus, for
the region.
Colossae was located in Phrygia and Hierapolis just
within it but Laodicea was possibly just outside. At one time Colossae lay on
both sides of the Lycus but the larger part lies to the south. Terraced lime
deposits ascend southward from around 340-530 metres above sea level toward
Mt. Cadmus (Honaz Dagi)(2530m). While the area is known for its hot mineral
springs none is as spectacular as the white cliffs of Hierapolis, and the
whole area was susceptible to earthquakes.
The area was renowned for its textiles and Colossae was particularly noted
for its wool making and dyeing, especially the purple colour known as
Colossinus drawn from cyclamen.
