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- The origins of this beautiful city are old indeed. By
the eleventh century B.C. it was one of the twelve colonies
forming the Ionian Confederation and enjoyed considerable
prestige and prosperity. It was situated below the mass
of Samsum Dagi (formerly Mikale) on the shore before the
river Maeander silted up the port. Now the sea is fifteen
kilometres away and the surrounding plains have become immense
cotton plantations. The city rebelled against Persian domination
under King Cyrus and in revenge the Persians razed it to
the ground. New Priene was reborn under Alexander the Great
in 330 B.C. and after countless struggles and invasions
became a Roman province in 129 A.D.
- The city regained its prosperity under the Emperor Augustus
in spite of having a population of only seven thousand.
During the Byzantine reign it became a Bishopric. Priene
became part of the Ottoman Empire in the fourteenth century.
- The streets of Priene are unusual in that they are all
horizontal and vertical, parallel and perpendicular, like
a chess board. However comfortable shoes are a must, especially
for those wishing to reach the top where at one time the
Acropolis stood. Now there are only ruins, but the view
is spectacular and well worth the effort. On the other hand,
the Theatre is still in good condition although it is partly
submerged in trees and vegetation. The theatre was originally
Greek and built in the fourth century B.C. but it was altered
by the Romans in the second century A.D. and its seating
capacity increased to hold six thousand spectators. The
wall of the stage, which has two storeys, faces a row of
five marble throne-like seats resting on pedestals in the
form of lions' feet surrounded by ivy leaves. Perhaps the
theatre was also used for debates and political meetings.
- Only five fluted Jonian columns survive from the original
sixty-six of the great Temple of Athena Polias, erected
by Alexander the great in 334 B.C. In the centre there was
once a statue of Athena seven metres high rivalling in size
the famous statue by Pheidias in the Parthenon in Athens.
By the temple the ruins of houses belonging to rich citizens
or important dignitaries can be seen. They had numerous
rooms facing onto interior courtyards.
- The bouleuterion, the ancient senate was constructed in
the second century B.C. with an enormous council chamber
capable of holding six hundred and fifty people. Almost
nothing remains of the prytaneion, the city's administrative
building, only the great courtyard.The stadium dates from
the second century B.C. and is one hundred and ninety metres
long. At one time there was a portico of Doric columns.
Under this loggia athletes could train when it rained, but
it was also used as a meeting place for the general population
of Priene.
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