Turkey

Knidos

Ancient Dorian city and harbour on Turkey’s Datça peninsula

Location

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Historical Context

About

Knidos or Cnidus (; Greek: Κνίδος, Ancient: [knídos], Modern: [ˈkniðos], Knídos) was a Greek city in ancient Caria and part of the Dorian Hexapolis, in south-western Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. It was situated on the Datça peninsula, which forms the southern side of the Sinus Ceramicus, now known as Gulf of Gökova. By the 4th century BC, Knidos was located at the site of modern Tekir, opposite Triopion Island. But earlier, it was probably at the site of modern Datça (at the half-way point of the peninsula). It was built partly on the mainland and partly on the Island of Triopion or Cape Krio. The debate about it being an island or cape is caused by the fact that in ancient times it was connected to the mainland by a causeway and bridge. Today the connection is formed by a narrow sandy isthmus. By means of the causeway the channel between island and mainland was formed into two harbours, of which the larger, or southern, was further enclosed by two strongly built moles that are still in good part entire. The extreme length of the city was little less than a mile, and the whole intramural area is still thickly strewn with architectural remains. The walls, both of the island and on the mainland, can be traced throughout their whole circuit; and in many places, especially round the acropolis, at the northeast corner of the city, they are remarkably perfect.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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4th century BCE relocation

4th century BCE

Battle of Cnidus

394 BCE

Council of Chalcedon participation

451 CE

Second Council of Constantinople

553 CE

Second Council of Nicaea

787 CE

Dilettante Society mission

1812

Newton excavations

1857–1858

Port ruins revealed by low tide

2022

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Defensive Structures

Defensive Walls
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Public and Civic Structures

PlazasTheatresOdeumMarketplacesCouncil Chambers
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Burial and Funerary Structures

TombsGraves
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Religious and Ritual Structures

TemplesAltars
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Artistic and Decorative Features

StatuesMonumentsInscriptions
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

Cities
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Environmental and Natural Features

Artificial Islands
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Transportation and Communication Structures

BridgesQuays
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

Turkey

Coordinates

36.69° N, 27.38° E