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Known as "Smyrna" in ancient times, the province of Izmir has a long history, dating back to the
3rd- millenium BC when it was one of the most advanced cultural center in Western Anatolia. Legendary
Homer lived here in the Ionian period, which was the most splendid age of the city, dating to the 1st-millenium
BC. Today some beautiful examples from this long past can be found inside the city. Kadifekale (the Velvet Fortress)
located on Mount Pagos, overlooking the area. The first settlement that we know of, at Bayrakli near the eastern end of
the bay, was by Aeolians in the 10th century BC, but there were probably people here as far back as 3,000 BC.
The city's name comes from the goddess Myrina, prevalent deity before the coming of the Aeolians who worshipped Nemesis
in addition to Myrina. Famous early citizens of Smyrna included the poet Homer, the founder of western literature, who
lived before 700 BC. The city began its history of war and destruction early, for the Aeolians were overcome by the
Ionians, who in turn were conquered by the Lydians from Sardis. Around 600 BC, the Lydians destroyed the city and it lay
in ruins until the coming of Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great (356 - 323 BC) refounded Smyrna on Mt Pagus, now
called Kadifekale, in the centre of the modern city.
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Click here for the "History of Izmir"...
Click here for the "Old Izmir Photo Album"...
