Page 133 - Sarpedon’dan Keykubad’a Bir Zamanlar Antalya

The World’s Biggest Philanthropist From
Rhodiapolis ‘Opramoas’

There is no doubt that philanthropy is the most respected be-
havior in all societies. Personalities who help people in whatever
way they live have always been honored by the highest level of
society. There was such a person who lived within the borders
of today’s Antalya lands during the Roman Period that no one in
the world has been able to do the same in his aid. Opramoas is
the name of this great philanthropist, whose fame has survived
to the present day with the help of the 3 million denars in total he
gave to the surrounding cities and people. He was from Rhodi-
apolis, Opramoas, that is, from Kumluca
This great philanthropist, who lived on the territory of today’s
Antalya in the 2nd century AD, was always referred to as the
richest person in Lycia at that time. His father’s name was Apol-
lonios II, who was from Rhodiapolis like himself, and his mother,
Aristokila, who came from a wealthy family, was from Korydalla,
located in the immediate vicinity of Rhodiapolis. Opramoas, who
did great things for the city of Rhodiapolis, not only became
the president of the Lycian League. Opramoas, which provides
more aid such as shroud money for the living, dowry for young
girls and aid to the poor, in addition to the aid he provided to
the cities, has such a help that no other benefactor has yet been
able to provide such aid. AD 141 takes its place in history as a
black year for the entire Lycian Region. Lycia witnessed one of
the biggest earthquakes known in history. Almost all the cities
from the west to the east were affected by this high-intensity
earthquake. In addition to the considerable loss of life, the fact
that the large public buildings such as the theater, bath, agora
and bouleterion were almost completely destroyed, put the Ly-
cian cities in economic difficulties. In this dark time, Opramoas
came to the aid of the Lycian country and people (Kızgut 2011;
Çevik 2015; Kızgut 2016).

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