Ancient Izmir

İzmir, with roots going back to the Neolithic Era,is one of the most important cities in the world. İzmir, originally named Smyrna ,a name belonging to an Amazon queen, posseses such a vast amount of historical beauty that it is set apart form other cities in the world.

The first king of Smyrna ;Tantalos, his son Pelops , ( grandfather of Agememnon, Menelous, Elektra and founder of the legendary Olympic Games) and his daughter Niobe have all left their traces in İzmir. According to legend , Niobe who was punished and turned to stone is in Manisa Spil (The crying Rock) , Pelops’ throne is on the northern skirts of the Spil Mountain (Akpınar) and the grave of Tantalos can be found in İzmir Bayraklı (Ghazi Grounds) .

Not only is there an abundance of Gods and Goddesses , several civilisations ,many inventions and leading figures all originating from the Aegean but also İzmir is also known as a “City of Firsts”. The first city planned with a gridiron is İzmir. The oldest Athena Temple was set up by the people of İzmir. The oldest known bridge (850 B.C.) is also close to İzmir on the Melez Stream and which is also in the Guinness Book of Records. Also the oldest “ Kala Dramos”, ( beautiful road ) , belongs to İzmir, ( Bayraklı/Tepekule ) . The most important of all these is the fact that out of the Seven Wonders of the World, the first one, Ardemisio , is also in İzmir, Ephesus .

Settlement in İzmir goes as far back as the Bronze Age . İzmir was the most important city of Ionia. Many civilisations which İzmir has played host to have left their mark. Among these are, the Hittite, Phyrgians ,Lydians and Persians.

After the Persian conquest the people continued their lives in small castles situated on ridges overlooking the bay. Alexander the Great was commanded by the twin Goddess’s Nemesis to build the city of İzmir in Pagos and later the city was built by Lysimakhos.

İzmir has also fallen into the hands of the Pergamum Kingdom and the Roman Empire. The Agora is still preserved in İzmir a reminder of the Roman Empire.

With its history and culture there is still a lot left to be said about İzmir. İzmir .... the pearl of the Aegean. İzmir.... a city which cannot be described soley with words. It’s best that you discover this magical city for yourselves .....

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