PRIENE (city in Ionia)
Ancient city of Ionia, in modern-day Turkey
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Ionia
- Where
- 37.66° N, 27.30° E
Priene is home to a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Pausanias 7.5.5 The mountain Mycale is situated above the city of Priene. Strabo 14.1.12 The Maeander river turned Priene into an inland city by depositing alluvial earth. Strabo 12.8.17
Described in the sources
Bias, one of the sages who dedicated maxims at Delphi and offered advice after the Ionians' destruction, was from the city of Priene. Herodotus 1.170.3 +2 The Ionians perform Panionian sacrifices in the territory of Priene. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.31 ¶1 +1 Priene was originally located on the shore following the mouths of the Maeander river before becoming an inland city. Strabo 12.8.17 +1 The Maeander river empties into the sea between Miletus and Priene, and its sediment turned the sea that once separated them into mainland. Pausanias 8.24.11 +1 The lake Gæsonis is situated between Priene and Miletus. Athenaeus 7.87 A river named Gæson flows into the lake Gæsonis near Priene. Athenaeus 7.87 Priene is situated on the Ionian coast near the river Gessus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.31 ¶1 Some writers refer to the city by the alternative name Cadme. Strabo 14.1.12 The city was originally taken from the Carians by Ionian settlers. Pausanias 7.2.10 Its founding population consisted of half Thebans and half Ionians. Pausanias 7.2.10
Stories and history
Philotas, a Boeotian and descendant of Peneleus, was the second founder of the city and established a colony there by bringing settlers from Thebes. Pausanias 7.2.10 +2 Aepytus, the son of Neleus, was one of the initial founders of the city. Pausanias 7.2.10 +1 The wise man Bias was a native of this city. Strabo 14.1.12 The people of Priene were enslaved by Mazares. Herodotus 1.161.1 The inhabitants later suffered under a native named Hiero. Pausanias 7.2.10 The people of Priene are said to have migrated from Helice. Strabo 8.7.2 Ardys, the son of Gyges, captured the city during his reign. Herodotus 1.15.1 The inhabitants suffered greatly under the Persian leader Tabutes. Pausanias 7.2.10 A young man from Priene is appointed to preside over the sacred rites. Strabo 8.7.2 Myrina founded the city and named it after a woman who held an important command. Diodorus 3.55