Alexandria's founded by Alexander

Alexandria's founded by Alexander the Great (by year BC): 334 Alexandria in Troia (Turkey) - 333 Alexandria at Issus/Alexandrette (Iskenderun, Turkey) - 332 Alexandria of Caria/by the Latmos (Alinda, Turkey) - 331 Alexandria Mygdoniae - 331 Alexandria (Egypt) - 330 Alexandria Ariana (Herat, Afghanistan) - 330 Alexandria of the Prophthasia/in Dragiana/Phrada (Farah, Afghanistan) - 330 Alexandria in Arachosia (Kandahar, Afghanistan) - 330 Alexandria in the Caucasus (Begram, Afghanistan) - 329 Alexandria of the Paropanisades (Ghazni, Afghanistan) - 329 Alexandria Eschate or Ultima (Khodjend, Tajikistan) - 329 Alexandria on the Oxus (Termez, Afghanistan) - 328 Alexandria in Margiana (Merv, Turkmenistan) - 326 Alexandria Nicaea (on the Hydaspes, India) - 326 Alexandria Bucephala (on the Hydaspes, India) - 325 Alexandria Sogdia - 325 Alexandria Oreitide - 325 Alexandria in Opiene / Alexandria on the Indus (confluence of Indus & Acesines, India) - 325 Alexandria Rambacia (Bela, Pakistan) - 325 Alexandria Xylinepolis (Patala, India) - 325 Alexandria in Carminia (Gulashkird, Iran) - 324 Alexandria-on-the-Tigris/Antiochia-in-Susiana/Charax (Spasinou Charax on the Tigris, Iraq) - ?Alexandria of Carmahle? (Kahnu)

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Restoring the Bath/Gymnasium of Tralles

A lot can happen in ten years since I last visited Tralles (see: A tentative visit to Tralles). 

Excavations in this ancient city have been carried out around its Baths/Gymnasium, the iconic three vaulted arches, which the locals call “the three eyes,” that caught my attention back in 2015. 

[Picture from Anatolian Archaeology]

After being closed to the public, Tralles finally reopened to the public in August 2025. For me, the place is hardly recognizable as all the trees and shrubs around the arches have been cleared, exposing a comprehensive layout of the Baths. The terracotta water or sewage pipes I noticed before are no longer visible, probably reburied appropriately under the floor. 

This is one of the largest Roman bath complexes in Anatolia, matching the importance Tralles had acquired at that time. 

This large complex is said to cover 40,000 square meters, i.e., having sides of 60 meters or something along those lines. The pool could accommodate up to 200 people. Archaeologists expect that after restoration, it will be refilled with water and thus recreate a mesmerizing picture of the premises. 

Romans would often visit the Baths on a daily basis, not only to refresh themselves during the hot summer months, but mostly to socialize and exercise. 

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