The Turquoise Coast: Along the Lycian Way: Part II
The Turquoise Coast: Along the Lycian Way: Part II – by Dr Christopher A. Tuttle
For some 2,000 years the ancient Lycian people controlled a huge area along a 1,000 km stretch of the southwestern coast of Asia Minor. During their long history they built complex city-states, developed a distinct form of democracy, evolved unique art and architecture, controlled their region of the sea, and even became feared pirates. In this two-part presentation series, we will explore the fascinating history of the Lycian culture and explore the ruins of some of their once-great cities and those of some of their neighbours such as Arykanda, Sagalassos and Termessos.
Image:
Patara: in the early 2nd century BCE representatives of the 23 city-states of the Lycian League met. It’s now silent bouleuterion (council chamber) once witnessed the proceedings of the world’s first recorded representative democracy. Photo: Kristen Hellstrom
Dr Christopher A. Tuttle is an archaeologist studying the Hellenistic and Roman periods in the Eastern Mediterranean. Former Associate Director at ACOR in Jordan and former Executive Director of the Council of American Overseas Research Centers. He holds a BA in Classical and Medieval Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a PhD from the Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World at Brown University. He joined ASA as Academic and Outreach Coordinator in 2023.
Chris leads the following ASA tours:
- Greek Islands of the Aegean: Minoans to Crusaders 28 May – 15 June 2025
- Sardinia and Corsica: Islands of Forgotten Riches 2 – 19 October 2025
- The Turquoise Coast: Southern Turkey & Rhodes 22 September – 9 October 2026
- Tunisia: From Carthage to the Sahara 27 October – 13 November 2026