Pessinus Ancient City
Pessinus is located in Ballıhisar, 16 km south of Sivrihisar on the Ankara-Eskişehir highway. The village of Ballıhisar was established on the site of the ancient city, which was on the Old King's Road. Excavations at the ancient city of Pessinus are mentioned in the film "Yellow Mercedes."
It was known as one of the most important places of worship for the mother goddess, also known as Cybele by the Phrygians. It was the site of the goddess's idol descending from the sky (a black stone, most likely a meteor). The Romans, in an effort to win the war against Carthage, took this stone to Rome in 204 BC and called it Magna Mater (Great Mother).
Pessinus was the scene of ceremonies held in honor of the mother goddess and became a center for those devoted to her during that period. It is known that men cut off their male organs at Pessinus to dedicate themselves to the mother goddess.
