Laodicea in Syria
Laodicea's "Tetraporticus", built by Septimius Severus in AD 193 | |
Laodicea Shown within Syria | |
| Alternative name | Laodicea in Syria, Laodicea ad Mare, Laodicea-by-the-Sea |
|---|---|
| Location | Syria |
| Type | city |
| History | |
| Periods | Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | In ruins |
| Public access | Yes |
Laodicea (Ancient Greek: Λαοδίκεια) was a port city and important colonia of the Roman Empire in ancient Syria, near the modern city of Latakia. It was also called Laodicea in Syria, Laodicea-by-the-Sea (Ancient Greek: Λαοδίκεια ἡ Πάραλος) or Laodicea ad Mare.
Laodicea was founded in the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, the king and founder of the Seleucid Empire, in honor of his mother, Laodice. Laodicea later became part of the Roman Empire. During the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus, it served as the capital of Roman Syria. From 528 to 636 AD, it was the capital of the Byzantine province of Theodorias, until its siege and conquest by the Rashidun Caliphate.