Laodicea in Syria

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.

History

Early settlement

The Phoenician city of Ramitha was located in the coastal area where the modern port of Latakia is, known to the Greeks as Leukê Aktê or "white coast".

Hellenistic period

Laodicea got its name when was first founded in the fourth century BC under the rule of the Seleucid Empire: it was named by Seleucus I Nicator in honor of his mother, Laodice (Greek: Λαοδίκεια ἡ Πάραλος).

In 174 BC, an inscription was placed in the city, which has only survived through a Roman-era copy. It records how a family appealed to local authorities for protection when someone wished to place a statue inside their private sanctuary dedicated to the Egyptian gods Isis and Serapis.