Once named Elaiussa the city housed Archelaus, king of Cappadocia in 41 BC. In 20 BC Augustus added Cilicia to his possessions, then in 17 AD Tiberius sent for him from Rome to try him for treason, where he died. In 38 AD it became a possession of Antiochus IV of Commagene, and in 74 it became part of the Roman Empire as part of the province of Cilicia. When a bishop from the city attended the council of Chalcedon the name had changed to Sebaste. I wandered about in the sand dunes where the University of Rome is digging (and a lot still is hidden). Then visited the good theatre and some adjacent buildings, ultimately I headed for Kız Kalesi.

I took pictures of the castle, the defences at the coast, and the bathing fun. Too crowded for my taste, but people looked very happy.