IONIA (region)
Historic region in western Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey)
- Kind of place
- Region
- Where
- 38.20° N, 27.50° E
The name Ionia is said to derive from Ion, the son of Xuthus. Strabo 9.1.18 Teos was considered the central location of the region. Herodotus 1.170.3 The land in Ionia is affected by cold and wet conditions. Herodotus 1.142.2
Described in the sources
The Ionian coast extends from Poseidium in Caria to Phocaea. Pausanias 10.8.6 +3 Ionia lies within the area defined as Asia proper, distinct from the whole continent. Strabo 14.argument.0 +1 Ionia is situated in the region west of the Halys River, near Aeolia, Caria, and Lycia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.29 ¶1 +1 Polycrates achieved fame in Ionia through his military success and hoped to rule over the region. Herodotus 3.122.2 +1 Erythrae, located within the region of Ionia, possessed a sanctuary dedicated to the Idaean Dactyl Heracles. Pausanias 9.27.8 +1 The carob tree grows in Ionia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 13.16 ¶1 Lydia is located above the region of Ionia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.30 ¶1 Attica was formerly known by the name Ionia. Strabo 9.1.5 Ionia begins where the region of Aeolis ends. Strabo 13.1.2 The coast starts near the boundaries of Caria. Strabo 14.1.2
Gods and worship
A general assembly is held within the region. Strabo 14.1.29 Annual games are celebrated in the region in honor of Bacchus. Strabo 14.1.29 The people of Ionia are described as not shrinking from the spear. Aeschylus, Persians 1014-1025
Stories and history
Cyrus conquered the entire region of Ionia through military force, including the use of earthworks to take cities and the surrender of the Ionians on the islands out of fear. Aeschylus, Persians 759-786 +2 Harpagus subjugated the region of Ionia. Herodotus 1.171.1 +1 The Ionians had rebelled against the king. Herodotus 5.98.2 +1 The Ionians occupied the country in former times. Strabo 9.1.5 The earthquakes in Ionia overturned Mount Sipylus. Strabo 1.3.17 The earthquakes in Ionia swallowed up whole villages. Strabo 1.3.17 The Ionians gathered together to hold a council meeting. Herodotus 4.137.1 The plan involved leaving this country to the barbarians. Herodotus 9.106.2 Tigranes served as the general of the army holding Ionia. Herodotus 9.96.2 Ionia was enslaved for the second time during this period. Herodotus 1.169.2
Myths set at Ionia
- The Ionian Colonization. hook: "Codrus's sons lost the kingship of Athens and set out to found colonies in Ionia." goal: "The sons of Codrus participated in a military expedition to Ionia to establish new settlements." outcome: "The descendants of Codrus helped send Ionian colonists to Asia, founding cities like Myus, Erythrae, and Teos."} Pausanias 7.2.1 +5
- The Rescue of the Themisonians. hook: The Gauls invade Ionia, threatening the city of Themison. goal: The Themisonian magistrates seek a safe refuge for their families. outcome: The people hide in a cave revealed by Hermes and survive the invasion. Pausanias 10.32.4 +1 Hermes