Smyrna Ancient City According to legend, the ancient city of Smyrna was established in the 3rd millennium B.C. by the Amazons, the famed warrior women of myth. This city was situated in what is now Bayraklı and came under the control of the Hittite Empire around 1500 B.C.. In the first millennium B.C., Smyrna emerged as one of the leading cities of the Ionian League. It is believed that Homer, the great poet, lived here and drew inspiration from Smyrna when composing The Odyssey. Nevertheless, Smyrna’s influence declined following the Lydian conquest in 600 B.C., giving way to new leadership during the Lydian era (560-380 B.C.). In the 4th century BC, during the era of Alexander the Great, a new settlement was established on the slopes of Mt. Pagos. Legend says that Alexander dreamed of the goddess Nemesis, who commanded him to reconstruct the City of Smyrna. This vision led to the foundation of a flourishing city that became a key player in ancient times. Following the death of Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Smyrna fell under the dominion of the Roman and later the Byzantine Empires. In 1413, the city was seized by the Turks, and it was governed by various rulers including Emir Çaka Bey, Aydınoğlu Umur Bey, and the Seljuks, before finally being conquered by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II in 1459. A top historical attraction in Smyrna is the Agora, one of the largest marketplaces in the region, measuring 129 meters by 83 meters. While the area contains other ancient landmarks such as stadiums and theaters, many remain buried under modern housing developments. The ancient theater, with a capacity to seat 20,000 spectators, is considered one of the largest theaters globally. The stadium has been located but cannot yet be excavated due to property issues. Items unearthed from the Agora are exhibited at the Izmir Archaeology Museum and Art Museum. Smyrna also holds significance in early Christian history. According to Acts 19:10, it is believed that the church was established during Paul’s third missionary journey. Additionally, it is one of the cities to which John the Apostle addressed a letter in the book of Revelation. If you have any questions or would like more information about Smyrna Ancient City, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply send us a message via WhatsApp, and we will reply as soon as possible.