The
first establishments in Priene go back till 2000 BC. According to ancient
documents, these first settlers were the Banians who mixed with the
Ionians. In the
Archaic period, the city's location may have been nearer to Miletos on the delta of the
Buyuk Menderes (Meander). Later the city moved in the direction of the Mykale Mountains'
slope. The name "Priene"
is thought to have a pre-Greek origin when the Cretan islands, ''Praisos and
Prianson" had relations with Priene. Before becoming one of the 12 members of the
Ionian Confederation and participating to the "Ionian Rebellion",
Priene had
first been a Lydian dominion for several centuries.
As the city had been demolished, its restoration has
been planned by the famous city planner and architect, Hippodamos, who used for the first
time the "Grating System": all the constructions were turned to the
south in
order to benefit a maximum of the day light. The roads were crossing perpendicularly to
give the best ventilation system to the city.
Approx. 283 BC, a border quarrel arose
between Priene and the Greek island Samos. It was only solved one century later when both
parties accepted to become Roman vassals. Since then, Priene
was under control of the
Bergamian King, Attalos II, who was to return the city to the Romans after his death.
Due to endless wars and the alluviums
that were invading the city, Priene was worn out and abandoned completely in the XIIIth
century AD.
How to Go?… Priene is about 35
km from Kusadasi is worth being visited for its
Athena Temple, located on the highest point of the city, the
Stadion, the
Prytanion, the
Temple of Demeter and Persephone, the Bouloterion, the Gymnasium and the
Amphitheater. To reach Priene; you may take a
daily tour to Didyma - Priene - Miletos from any agency
in Kusadasi or by a private car, alternatively.
For mor information about Priene Ancient City , visit Priene web site>> |
