This article is still being written.
Prehistory
Pre-historic Settlement
A large settlement is on the site of Hierapolis before the Greeks arrive. The settlers worship Cybele, the Anatolian mother goddess. The area is believed to be a gateway to the underworld because of a cave, linked to the worship of Cybele, which emits toxic gasses (the cave is still there today).
12th Century BC
The Greeks Arrive
After the fall of the Hittite Empire, the Greeks arrive and establish a colony in the area of what will later become Hierapolis. There are already people there, who worship the Anatolian mother goddess Cybele around a cave that emits poisonous gas.
7th Century BC
Phrygians Build a Temple to Cybele
Locals from Phrygia, the region around Hierapolis, Build a temple around the cave dedicated to the goddess Cybele. It later becomes the center of Hierapolis. The cult of Cybele becomes a part of Greek pagan religion as well, but the cave and temple become associated with the worship of the Greek god Hades (Pluto) and the temple is called the Plutonium.
281—261 BC
Hierapolis is Founded by Antiochus I
Antiochus I, a descendent of Seleucus (one of the generals of Alexander the Great), founds Hierapolis. Hierapolis is a Greek community with Greek culture and religion, as opposed to the local inhabitants who will gradually be Hellenized. Hierapolis becomes famous for its high-quality wool fabrics and dye products.
Antiochus sends some 2,000 Jewish families to Lydia and Phrygia from Babylon and Mesopotamia, joined by more from Judea. The Jewish congregation in Hierapolis grows to an estimated 50,000 in 62 BC.
190 BC
Battle of Magnesia, Eumenes II Takes Control of Pergamum
Antiochus is defeated by the Romans and their staunch ally, Eumenes II, the ruler of Pergamum. The Treaty of Apamea, which follows the battle, grants Eumenes large parts of Asia Minor, including Hierapolis. Eumenes declares the town a polis, or city-state.
Hierapolis Becomes a Healing Center with doctors using the thermal springs in their medical treatments.
133 BC
The Romans Inherit Hierapolis
Attalus III, the childless ruler of the Pergamese Kindom that includes Hierapolis, dies and bequeaths his kingdom to the Romans. The city is part of a tri-city area that includes Laodicea, Colossae, and Hierapolis.
The written history of Hierapolis begins.
60-62 AD
The Apostle Paul Writes About Hierapolis
The Apostle Paul, while a prisoner in Rome, writes the Book of Colossians. In Colossians 4:12—13, Paul mentions Epaphras, who is “working hard for you and for all those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.”
60 AD
Major Earthquake Hits Hierapolis
The earthquake leaves the city in ruins. Roman Emperor Hadrian rebuilds the city in Roman style and provides financial support. This is the city that we see today.
70 AD
The Apostle Philip Comes to Hierapolis
The Apostle Philip comes to Hierapolis and preaches Christianity. Little is known about his life there except from the fourth-century apocryphal book “The Acts of Philip.”
80 AD
The Apostle Philip is Martyred at Hierapolis
The Apostle Philip is martyred by being crucified upside down, or by being hung by his ankles from a tree.
129 AD
The Roman theater is built for the visit of Roman emperor Hadrian.
215 AD
Hierapolis Receives Lavish Funding from Caracalla
Roman Emperor Caracalla gives the title of “Neocoros” to Hierapolis, a title bestowed only on cities that are custodians of a great temple. New projects are started including two Roman baths, a gymnasium, several new temples, a colonnaded main street, and a nymphaeum. The golden age of Hierapolis, as one of the most prominent cities in the Roman Empire, begins.
4th Century AD
Christianity is Now the Dominant Religion
With Christianity now the dominant religion in Hierapolis, pagan religion is suppressed.
396 AD
Defensive Walls Built
Defensive walls, with 28 towers, are built under the reign of Roman Emperor Arcadius.
5th Century AD
Martyrium of Saint Philip is Built
7th Century AD
Persians Attack and an Earthquake Hits Hierapolis
1071 AD
The Byzantines Are Defeated at the Battle of Manzikert
The Byzantine Army loses the Battle of Manzikert, fought in Eastern Türkiye, against the Seljuk Turks. The defeat opens the door to Turkish expansion into Asia Minor.
12th Century AD
Seljuk Turks Take Hierapolis
The Seljuk Turks, who have been steadily invading Asia Minor and taking territory from the Byzantine Empire, reach Hierapolis and occupy it.
1190 AD
Crusaders Take Hierapolis
The crusaders under Frederick Barbarossa and their Byzantine allies oust the Seljuks and take control of Hierapolis.
1354 AD
A Major Earthquake Finishes Hierapolis
Hierapolis is finally abandoned.
Come and Experience the Cradle of Christianity.
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Ken Grubb
Ken Grubb is an American travel writer, retired Special Investigator for the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI), and former adjunct instructor for the University of Maryland at NATO bases in Izmir and at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye. He’s a former managing partner of Turkey Central LLC, where he assisted people worldwide in visiting and living in Türkiye. Ken’s passion is the ancient Christian history of Türkiye and Greece, focusing on the places where the stories of the New Testament took place. He’s lived in Türkiye for more than 20 years.
