LAODICEA, (Lat., from Gk.
Aao6bma, Loodikcia). The name of several Greek cities in the East, built by the Seleueidfr, who ruled the Kingdom of Syria after the death of Alexander the Great. Five of these were named after Laodiee, wife of Seleueus Nieator, and one after the wife of Antiochus Theos. Three are of some importance. two in Asia Minor and one in Syria. Most important was Laodirea ad Lyeum, situated in Southwestern Asia Minor, commonly reckoned in Phrygia. though sometimes included in Caria or Lydia. It was situated about 11 miles west of Colosstr, at the junction of several important roads front the coast and in terior, and was at one time called Diospohs, but was renamed by Antioehus Theos (me. •60), who rei;stablished and fortified the town as a centre of Greek influence. It soon became a large and wealthy city, and, in spite of the disasters of the .Mithradatie wars. it was a chief seat of Roman influenee under the Empire. It seems to have early become a Christian centre, as it is men tioned in the Epistle to the Colossians (ii. I), and is one of the seven churches addressed in the Apocalypse.
The town was a banking centre. and famous for its manufacture of cloth from the glossy black wool of the district, but it likewise had obtained great renown for its school of medicine connected with the Temple of Men Karu, who was identified with the Greek Aselepios. It
changed bands more than once in the wars be tween the Byzantine Empire and the Turks, and gradually fell into decay. The site, known as Eski-hissar, is deserted, but contains a number of fine ruins of the Roman period, including a well-preserved stadium and two theatres. 'file town was supplied with water by an aqueduct of which many arches remain. Consult Ramsay, Cities and Bishoprics of Phrygia, vol. i. (Oxford, 1895).
Another town. founded by Seleucus Nicator. in the territory of Lycaonia, was situated on time highroad from Ephesus to the East. The town was known as Loodieea Conibusta (Gk. ActoatKeta karaKocavisheq), probably because of an early de struction by fire, though Strabo says the name was due to the volcanic rocks in the neighbor hood: modern travelers deny that there is any such formation. The modern Sorgan Ladik prob ably occupies the site of this city, and in the neighborhood are extensive architectural re mains.
The third eity, also founded by Seleueus, was Laodicca ad _Yore, in Northern Syria, now Latakia (q.v.).