SMYRNA (city in Ionia)
Ancient Greek city, located in present day İzmir, Turkey
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Ionia
- Landmarks
- Temple with Mirrors Pliny, Nat. Hist. 33.45 ¶2; Metroon (Metis) Strabo 14.1.37; Sanctuary of the Nemeses Pausanias 9.35.6
- Where
- 38.42° N, 27.14° E
It is currently considered the most beautiful city in Ionia. Strabo 14.1.37 The river Meles flows through the city of Smyrna. Homer's Epigrams (4) Smyrna is situated near a bay and a temple of Apollo. Strabo 14.1.36
Described in the sources
The ancient city of Smyrna is about twenty stadia from the present city. Strabo 14.1.37 +1 Smyrna is located along the Ionian coast and was considered part of Ionia at the time of the twenty-third Festival. Pausanias 5.8.7 +1 The city has a Music Hall. Pausanias 9.35.6 The city is built on Mount Pion. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.31 ¶2 The city contains a temple of Diana. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.31 ¶2 The city is washed by the river Caÿster. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.31 ¶2 The city is identified as Aeolian Smyrna. Homer's Epigrams (4) The city contains the fountain of Calippia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.31 ¶2 The city was built by the people of Phricon. Homer's Epigrams (4) A statue of Fortune was located in this city. Pausanias 4.30.6
Gods and worship
The men of Smyrna were noted for their valor and courage. Pausanias 4.21.5 Smyrnaeans practice divination from voices more than any other Greeks. Pausanias 9.11.7
Stories and history
Ionians from Colophon seized the city and displaced its Aeolian inhabitants. Herodotus 1.149.1 +2 The Lydian king captured the city of Smyrna during his military campaigns. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.33 +1 The Amazons are said to have founded the city and named it after themselves. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.31 ¶4 +1 The men of Smyrna were the only ones besides the twelve cities to request admission to the Panionion, and the Ionians later permitted Smyrnaeans to participate in the assembly. Herodotus 1.143.3 +1 The city possesses a close harbour. Strabo 14.1.37 The Lydians razed the city to the ground. Strabo 14.1.37 Citizens claim the city is the birthplace of Homer. Strabo 14.1.37 The city issues brass money referred to as Homereium. Strabo 14.1.37 Alexander rebuilt the city after its initial founding. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.31 ¶4 Lysimachus also restored the city following Antigonus. Strabo 14.1.37