Scorpion Rise in Western Turkey

As the evening darkness arrives at the ancient city of Sardis in Turkey, the stars of Scorpius (the Scorpion) rise above the ancient remains, not far from Izmir. Bright star Vega shines at the top left and notable star Spica and the trapezoid-like figure of constellation Corvus (the Crow) are visible at top right. The 2800-year Sardis was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, one of the important cities of the Persian Empire, the seat of a proconsul under the Roman Empire, and the metropolis of the province Lydia in later Roman and Byzantine times. The royal road made by the Persian Empire during Achamenid period some 2500 years ago connected Persepolis with Sardis.