Ancient Laodicea, once a thriving city now lies in ruins, awaiting a more thorough excavation than it has so far received.
Pliny claims that Laodicea was built in the site of an earlier settlement known as Diospolis and later as Rhoas. Because of its ,location near the Lycus River, the city was known as Laodicea ad Lycum in order to differentiate it from several other cities named Laodicea.
Antiochus II, the Seleucid king (reign 261 – 246 BC), founded the city during the middle of the 3rd century BC. He named the city in honor of his wife Laodice, who he later divorced.
In 133 BC Laodicea came under Roman control. This city was often damaged by earthquakes, and restore either by the opulence of its inhabitants or by the munificence of the Roman emperor.
Latakia (Syria)
