How ancient city in Türkiye gave its name to America’s Philadelphia?
A collage of photos featuring ancient Philadelphia in Manisa, Türkiye, and Philadelphia in the United States, January 16, 2025. (Photo collage by Mehmet Akbas/Türkiye Today)
Did you know that the name of the bustling American city of Philadelphia is linked to a city in Türkiye with a rich, ancient history?
The city of Alasehir, located in the heart of Manisa Province in western Türkiye, was once called Philadelphia or Philadelpheia—a name that carries deep historical and religious significance, stretching back over two millennia.
Ancient roots of Philadelphia: Legacy of ‘Brotherly Love’
Philadelphia, founded between 150 and 138 B.C. by King Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamon, has long been associated with the concept of “brotherly love.” The name is a compound word of Philo meaning “love” and Adelphos meaning “brotherly.”
For centuries, this ancient city stood as a beacon of culture, commerce, and early Christian influence.
City of faith: Philadelphia’s role in spread of Christianity
Long before the United States adopted its own Philadelphia, the Anatolian city was already renowned for its role in early Christianity. In A.D. 40, it became one of the first seven cities where Christianity began to take root and spread, marking it as a key spiritual center in the ancient world.
From ancient Anatolia to modern America: Philadelphia link
The connection between the two cities—Alasehir in Türkiye and Philadelphia in the U.S.—goes beyond just a shared name. In a fascinating twist of history, a 16th-century map of Anatolia shows the U.S. city of Philadelphia as a tribute to the original city in Türkiye.
The United States, seeing itself as the spiritual heir of the Roman Empire, often named its cities after ancient Roman centers like Philadelphia.
Alasehir: Timeless city of trade and culture
Today, Alasehir, once known as Philadelphia, remains a site of historical significance. It was a vital trade gateway between Anatolia’s western and interior regions and continues to be an important cultural heritage site.
Visitors to this ancient city can explore remnants of its grandeur, including the St. Jean Church, whose restored ruins offer a glimpse into the rich past of both early Christianity and the ancient world.
For those fascinated by ancient history, religious heritage, and the unexpected connections between the old world and the new, the story of Philadelphia—both in Türkiye and America—is one worth discovering.
How US got ancient city names
Philadelphia isn’t the only U.S. city with a name rooted in ancient history or religion. Many American towns and cities were named by settlers inspired by mythology, religion, or classical civilizations.
The state of Pennsylvania, where Philadelphia is located, was named after its founder, William Penn. The word “sylvania” comes from Latin, meaning “forest,” so Pennsylvania translates to “Penn’s Forest.”
Greek and Roman influences can be seen in cities like Athens, Syracuse, Troy, Utica, Ithaca, and Phoenix, while Cincinnati takes its name from a Roman statesman, Cincinnatus.
Religious settlers also left their mark with names like Nazareth, Bethlehem, Corpus Christi, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz.
Perhaps the longest original name belonged to Los Angeles, which was first called “El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles del Rio de Porciuncula,” meaning “The Town of Our Lady, the Queen of Angels of the Porciuncula River.” Over time, it was shortened to simply Los Angeles.
Even Scandinavian influence appears in some towns containing “kirk”, meaning “church” in Nordic languages. These diverse names reflect the deep cultural and religious roots that shaped America’s geography.
