About
Herakleia Salbace Ancient City – Denizli 🏛️✨
📍 Location: Vakıf Neighborhood, Tavas, Denizli
🏺 Era: Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Periods
⚕️ Highlights: Ancient medical center, Asklepios and Hygeia cult, ancient coins
A Medical Center from Antiquity: Herakleia Salbace
Herakleia Salbace Ancient City is located in Vakıf Neighborhood, Tavas, Denizli, and is one of the most renowned ancient cities known for its contributions to medicine. Although the city was originally founded in honor of the powerful demigod Heracles, during the Roman period, it became closely associated with the cult of the god of medicine, Asklepios, and his wife Hygeia.
Along with Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Attouda, Herakleia Salbace was one of the most significant centers of medical science in antiquity. It was home to the chief physicians of Roman emperors, including Titus Statilius Kriton, the personal physician of Emperor Trajan, and Damokrates, the physician of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
What to See in the Ancient City?
🏺 A History from the Hellenistic Period to the Roman Era
✔ The city was named after the demigod hero Heracles.
✔ Founded during the Hellenistic period, the city was later incorporated into the Aphrodisias administrative unit in the Roman era.
✔ In the 5th century AD, during the Byzantine period, the city was surrounded by defensive walls.
⚕️ A Medical Center of the Ancient World
✔ The chief physicians of Roman emperors were trained here.
✔ Reliefs and statues dedicated to the god of medicine, Asklepios, and his wife Hygeia, can be seen in the city.
✔ Ancient sources mention the existence of a medical school in the city, where some of the most famous doctors were educated.