Smyrna / Izmir
Smyrna was one of the most important cities of Anatolia in ancient times. In the first written sources, the name of the city was Smurna (Σμύρνα) in the Aiol dialect and Smurne (Σμύρνη) in the Ionian dialect, at the earliest BC. It appears in the 7th century. The city, which was first established in Bayraklı, was built on the plain between Kadifekale, where today's İzmir city center is located, and the sea. It was moved at the end of the 4th century.
The re-establishment of Smyrna is tied to Alexander the Great. In Pausanias' work, this event is told through a story. Philip's son Alexandros built the present city because of a dream he had in his sleep; While he was hunting on Pagos Hill, on his return from the hunt, it is said that he came to the temple of the Nemesis; Here, in front of the temple, there was a spring and a plane tree overgrown with its water. While he was sleeping under the plane tree, the Nemesis appeared to him and ordered him to establish a city here and to bring the people of Izmir out of the old city. Strabo, one of the writers of the ancient period, states that the establishment of the new city was started by Antigonos, one of the successors of Alexander the Great, and then Lysimakhos continued this task. Excavations reveal the settlement in Bayraklı; It shows that it was ended during the reign of Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great is depicted as the decorator on the city's coins minted in the Roman era.
This newly established city had an important position: It was on the road between Sardis and Ephesos, the two important metropolises of Asia Minor, but had a large and sheltered port opening to the Mediterranean. It was at the focal point of strong and vibrant commercial relations between east and west. Widespread maritime trade caused all major cities in the Greco-Roman world to have a cosmopolitan structure as a common characteristic. The Romans came to Smyrna with 133 BC and AD. They ruled between 395 BC.
The re-establishment of Smyrna is tied to Alexander the Great. In Pausanias' work, this event is told through a story. Philip's son Alexandros built the present city because of a dream he had in his sleep; While he was hunting on Pagos Hill, on his return from the hunt, it is said that he came to the temple of the Nemesis; Here, in front of the temple, there was a spring and a plane tree overgrown with its water. While he was sleeping under the plane tree, the Nemesis appeared to him and ordered him to establish a city here and to bring the people of Izmir out of the old city. Strabo, one of the writers of the ancient period, states that the establishment of the new city was started by Antigonos, one of the successors of Alexander the Great, and then Lysimakhos continued this task. Excavations reveal the settlement in Bayraklı; It shows that it was ended during the reign of Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great is depicted as the decorator on the city's coins minted in the Roman era.
This newly established city had an important position: It was on the road between Sardis and Ephesos, the two important metropolises of Asia Minor, but had a large and sheltered port opening to the Mediterranean. It was at the focal point of strong and vibrant commercial relations between east and west. Widespread maritime trade caused all major cities in the Greco-Roman world to have a cosmopolitan structure as a common characteristic. The Romans came to Smyrna with 133 BC and AD. They ruled between 395 BC.
