Defense Architecture at the Acropolis of Xystis (Körteke Kalesi) Assessed in Light of Political and Epigraphical Evidence

Year 2025, Issue: 28, 515 - 538, 26.12.2025

Mustafa Tuncay Özdemir

https://doi.org/10.47589/adalya.1849616

Abstract

The ancient city of Xystis is located at the end of the Harpasos Valley along one of the routes connecting Ionia, Lydia, and northern Caria with inner Caria. Therefore, it controls a strategically important location that dominates the region as a gate opening into northern Caria. There are various studies on several fortresses and watchtowers in the Harpasos Valley; however, this study is the first to cover in detail the defensive system on the Acropolis of Xystis. The acropolis is comprised of an inner and an outer fortification encircling the southern slope of the hill today known as Körteke Kalesi. There are five rectangular towers on the outer fortification and two towers on the inner fortification, as well as a four-chambered rectangular tower around the center of the inner fortification. This large tower is thought to have served as the strat gion. In addition, the libation pit before the gate leading into the inner fortification suggests a connection with cult ceremonies and rituals of the garrisons deployed there. The construction of this defensive system started soon after the Battle of Koroupedion in 281 BC, under the reign of Ptolemy II and completed by 274 BC. However, Xystis passed into Seleucid hands since the Ptolemies were unable to rule for long. The Syrian Wars ended in 271 BC, if not surely in 269-268 BC.

Keywords

Xystis , acropolis , inner fortification , outer fortification , defensive architecture , garrison

Supporting Institution

This research was supported by Pamukkale University Scientific Research Coordination Unit (Project no: 2025BSP003). We would like to express our gratitude to Pamukkale University Scientific Research Coordination Unit for their support.

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