Laodicea Combusta

Coordinates: 38°11′27.6″N 32°22′28.2″E / 38.191000°N 32.374500°E / 38.191000; 32.374500
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Laodicea Combusta
Hellenism (Greek culture), Romans, Byzantine

Laodicea Combusta (

Hellenistic city in central Anatolia, in the region of Pisidia; its site is currently occupied by the town of Ladik in the municipality of Sarayönü, Konya Province, in Central Anatolia, Turkey.[1]

Etymology

Its surname (

Latin: Combusta) is derived by Strabo[2] (from the volcanic nature of the surrounding country), but Hamilton[3]
asserts that there is not a particle of volcanic or igneous rock in the neighbourhood, and it may be added that, if such were the case, the town would rather have been called, in Greek, Laodikeia tês katakekaumenês. The most probable solution undoubtedly is that the town was at one time destroyed by fire, and that on being rebuilt it received the distinguishing surname.

Some ancient authors describe it as situated in Lycaonia[4] and others as a town of Pisidia,[5] and Ptolemy[6] places it in Galatia, but this discrepancy is easily explained by recollecting that the territories just mentioned were often extended or reduced in extent, so that at one time the town belonged to Lycaonia, while at another it formed part of Pisidia. Its foundation is not mentioned by any ancient writer.

History

Laodicea was one of the five cities built by

Melitene on the Euphrates. The apostle Paul passed several times by the town and many early Christians named their sons after him. From the fourth century there is evidence of aurarii, people either working or selling it, and it is likely that the town enjoyed some prosperity.[1]

Laodicea is depicted here as Laodiceia Catacecaumenê

Later, Laodicea was part of the

deported its population.[8]

Numerous fragments of ancient architecture and sculpture have been found and visitors in the 19th century described seeing inscribed marbles, altars, columns, capitals, friezes, and cornices dispersed throughout the streets and among the houses and burying grounds. From this it would appear that Laodicea must once have been a very considerable town. Nowadays unfortunately almost no archaeological sites or monuments remain.[1]

Ecclesiastic history

The Christian community of Laodicea might go back to the journeys of Paul and existed latest by the second century as attested by inscriptions. It seems that it was one of the most christianised places in the area.

chorepiscopus for the middle of the fifth century as a participant at the Council of Chalcedon.[10] The only other known council where a bishop of Laodicea participated is the council of Constantinople
in 692 AD.

Since 1933 it is a titular see but it has been vacant.[11]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ . Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  2. ^ xii. pp. 576, 579, xiii. pp. 626, 628, 637.
  3. ^ Researches, ii. p. 194.
  4. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium s. v.; Strabo xiv. p. 663.
  5. ^ Socrates, Hist. Eccl. vi. 18; Hierocles p. 672.
  6. ^ v. 4. § 10.
  7. ^ Sestini, Mon. Ant. p. 95 ; comp. Droysen, Gesch. des Hellen. i. p. 663, foll.
  8. . Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  9. . Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  10. . Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Laodicea Combusta". Catholic-Hierarchy. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 6 October 2023.

References

External links

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainSmith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Laodiceia Combusta". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.