Battle field of gladiators found in Anavarza

Recent works in Adana's large, ancient city of Anavarza have unearthed a battle field of gladiatorsOngoing excavations in the 2,000-year-old ancient city of Anavarza, located in the southern province of Adana's Dilekkaya village, have unearthed a battle field of gladiators for the first time. 

The excavations, which have a record budget of 1 million Turkish Liras, are headed by the Çukurova University Archaeology Department's Fatih Gül?en.

Speaking about the works that have continued nonstop for the last 14 months, Gül?en said the ancient city of Anavarza was the largest one in Anatolia with its castle, bathes, churches, triumphal arch, aqueducts, rock tombs, stadium, mosaics and theater. 

He said works would last for a while in the ancient city. "Even the 22.5-meter-long and 10.5-meter-high triumphal arc, which was built in the 3rd century in memory of the Roman Empire's victory against the Persians, looks magnificent," he added. 

Gül?en said "Anavarza" meant invincible, and continued: "Works in the ancient city show that the city was established by Emperor Augustus in 19 B.C. but we know there were earlier settlements. The sole, largest double road of the ancient era is here. This road, which is 34 meters wide and 2,700 meters long, entered literature as the world's first and oldest street. Both sides of the street are decorated with 1.5-meter columns."

Gül?en also said Anavarza's ancient church, built in the 5th century on the foundations of a Roman temple, was probably made for a very important saint named Dioscorides, who is considered "the father of pharmacies." According to Gül?en, "[He] was born was born in this city and prepared nearly 1,000 medicines by using some 50 plants unique to this ancient city." ...