PHOCAEA (city in Mysia and Aeolis)
Ancient city of Ionia, in modern-day Turkey
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Mysia and Aeolis
- Where
- 38.67° N, 26.75° E
Phocaea is situated on a bay along the coast, after Leucae and less than 200 stadia from Smyrna along the road to Ephesus. Strabo 14.1.38 The Phocaeans were the earliest Greeks to undertake long sea voyages. Herodotus 1.163.1 A temple dedicated to Athena was located in Phocaea, where ancient statues of Athena in a sitting posture are found. Pausanias 7.5.4
Described in the sources
Phocaea is located in the region of Ionia, at the point where the region of Aeolis comes to an end. Herodotus 2.106.2 +3 Phocaea was uninhabited before the arrival of the Ionians in Asia, and the coastal area extending to it was previously inhabited by the Leleges. Pausanias 7.3.8 +1 Phocaea is located within the region of Lydia. Herodotus 1.142.3 The group sailed to Phocaea while preparing for their voyage. Herodotus 1.165.2 The group arrived at Phocaea before dispatching an envoy to Sardis. Herodotus 1.152.3 Phocaea marks the northern limit of the Ionian coastal region described. Strabo 14.1.2 The citizens felt intense sorrow and longing for their life in this city. Herodotus 1.165.3 Phocaea is followed by the boundary between Ionian and Aeolian territories. Strabo 14.1.38 Phocaea was the first Ionian town attacked by the subject of the narrative. Herodotus 1.163.1 Laodamas was a notable figure from this Ionian city who opposed Miltiades' plan. Herodotus 4.138.2
Stories and history
The Ionians expelled the Leleges from the region and later founded Phocaea. Pausanias 7.3.8 +1 Some inhabitants fled Phocaea after it was attacked by Harpagus the Persian. Herodotus 1.168.1 +1 The Persians captured the city after its inhabitants had fled and burned down the local temple of Athena. Herodotus 1.164.3 +1 The Phocaeans discovered Iberia. Herodotus 1.163.1 The Phocaeans discovered Tartessus. Herodotus 1.163.1 The Phocaeans discovered Tyrrhenia. Herodotus 1.163.1 The Phocaeans discovered the Adriatic Sea. Herodotus 1.163.1 Phocaea was captured by the subject of the passage. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.33 The group destroyed the Persian guard defending the city. Herodotus 1.165.2 Athenians who accompanied Philogenes founded the city of Phocaea. Strabo 14.1.3