As
one of the most important site of the region of Caria, the history of
Iasos dates back to
3000BC. Once situated on an island, the city is now joined to the mainland, creating a
peninsula. The people of Iasos were mostly getting their earns from fishing, which is also
exactly the same, today. Apollo and Artemis were the protecting god & goddess of
Iasos. Bathing of the boys in the sea
after the tiring training in gymnasium was a tradition in Iasos. Interestingly, while they
were bathing, a dolphin was continuously taking one boy to the far and bringing him back
later to the shore. Then, Alexander the Great took the boy for making him the priest
Poseidon in Babil. Consequently, the boy on a dolphin was represented on the coins of 3rd
century BC, due to its great influence on the people of Iasos.
Apart from the well-preserved
agora, bouleterion, theatre and The Temple of Artemis Astias (dedicated to the Goddess
Artemis) , "Fish Market" - a funerary monument in the form of a
Corinth temple, is the most impressive construction dating from the Roman period. It is located
inside the courtyard and consisted of four columns on the forth side. "Fish
Market" was restored to be used as an open air museum in 1995.
The excavations in
Iasos started by an
Italian team in the head of Prof. Dr. Doro Levi in 1960, and continued by Dr. Fede Berti
until today.
How to Go?…
100 km south of Kusadasi, the site is located in the 18th km of the right road
to "Kiyikislacik", before reaching to Milas. Kiyikislacik is the name of the
village near Iasos. One may take a bus to Milas from Kusadasi, then take a minibus from
Milas to Kiyikislacik, or reach by a private car, alternatively. The marvelous road
scenery is not to be missed… |
