 | Archaeologists in the ancient city of Laodicea in the western province of Denizli have unearthed a grandiose statue of Trajan. Researchers think the Trajan statue—which once stood by a fountain—was destroyed and buried in an earthquake. The team pieced together all 356 fragments to reconstruct the imposing monument. The statue is likely unique in terms of its size and intricacy. The three-meter-high sculpture is highly detailed. The emperor's clothes feature symbols from Roman mythology: Jupiter’s thunderbolt, the head of Medusa and two griffins representing Apollo. Towards the end of the Roman Republic, Laodicea benefited from its advantageous position on a trade route, and became one of the most important cities of Asia Minor. Early Laodicea became a seat of Christianity. |  |
 | The area is prone to earthquakes, and a great tremor occurred in the reign of Nero (60 AD) that completely destroyed the city. |  |
See ----->Trajan - optimus princeps
