Selge

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Selge was an important ancient city in Pisidia, later in Pamphylia, on the southern slopes of Mount Taurus in what is now Antalya Province, Turkey, near where the Eurymedon River cuts through the mountains. Some sources say Selge began as a Greek colony; Strabo mentions Spartans founded it and that Calchas may have been involved earlier. The acropolis bore the name Kesbedion. The surrounding area produced wine, oil, and timber, and the land was known for storax and a perfume made from iris.

The city was hard to reach, surrounded by cliffs and streams that ran toward the Eurymedon and another river; bridges were needed to pass these obstacles. Selge’s strong laws and political organization made it powerful and populous, and at one time it could field about 20,000 men. Its independence was valued, and it was not ruled by a foreign power. When Alexander the Great passed through Pisidia in 333 BC, Selge sent an embassy and won his favor, while it was at war with Termessos at that time.

In later years Selge fought Pednelissus. After Pednelissus invited aid from Achaeus and a large force arrived, Selge faced a siege in 218 BC. After a long struggle and feeling unable to resist, the Selgians sent envoys and agreed to pay 400 talents immediately, return the prisoners, and later pay another 300 talents.

By the 5th century AD Selge was a small town but still strong enough to repel Goths. Its coins show it remained flourishing in Hadrian’s time, and it is mentioned by Ptolemy and Hierocles. Besides wine and oil, the surrounding country offered timber and storax, and iris roots were used to make ointment.

Today the ruins include parts of the city walls and the acropolis. The theater is the best-preserved monument and was restored in the 3rd century AD. Traces of a gymnasium, a stoa, a stadium, a basilica, and two temples remain.

A well-preserved Roman bridge crosses the deep Eurymedon valley on the road from the Pamphylian coast. Selge was once the seat of a bishop in Pamphylia Prima, in the diocese of Asia, and later became a Catholic titular see. The bishopric is listed in church records until the 14th century, probably ending after the Islamic conquest. Since the 19th century, Selge has been a Catholic titular archbishopric, but no appointment has been made since 1969.