About Apollon Smintheion
At Gülpınar, the Smintheion was a major sanctuary of Apollo Smintheus in the Troad. Reliefs on its Ionic temple depict episodes from Homer's Iliad. The sacred road, baths and waterworks complete the setting for ritual and accommodation.
History
Prehistoric occupation is known around the sanctuary, while the cult of Apollo developed in the Archaic and Classical periods. The surviving monumental temple was built in the second century BCE. The epithet Smintheus is associated with mice and reflects the god's capacity both to bring disease and to protect. Baths, dwellings and a water system were added under Rome; a sacred road from Alexandria Troas served processions. The site's function changed in late antiquity.
Highlights and principal structures
- Temple of Apollo Smintheus
- Iliad reliefs
- Sacred road
- Roman baths
- Water tanks and channels
- Heroon and accommodation buildings
Historical period
Prehistoric–Hellenistic–Roman