Priene Ruins, Söke, Aydın, Turkey
Aydın province is near Gullubahçe town. Excavation and research work is carried out by the German Archaeological Institute in Priene. Presence BC Our knowledge of the first establishment of the city, dating back to the second millennium, is based on assumptions.
During the Hellenistic period the city was under the rule of Ptolemaic and Seleucid Kingdoms and the Kingdom of Pergamum.
B.C. King of Pergamum at 133 After Attalus’ death, he voluntarily added the lands to Rome, and thus Priene fell under Roman rule. In the Byzantine period the city was bishopric. The findings confirm that the settlement continues until the collapse of the Empire. At the end of this period, Priene was completely abandoned.
Priene is the most beautiful example of old city planning.
The city was built with the “grid system” developed by the master architect Hippodamus. The side streets of the city, which is usually 3.5 meters wide, are ladders because of the slope of the grounds. Other official and public buildings often include a complete block and are located in the city center.
These include the Temple of Athena (4th century BC), the theater, the Agora, the Temple of Zeus Olympos, Bouleuterion (150 BC), 2 Gymnasion and Demeter sanctuaries, which are very preserved. The city has three gates, one in the west and the other two in the east. Priene’s main entrance gate, the “East Gate”, is located to the north-east of the Theater Street, which can be reached after a long slope made of stone pavement.
Epic Turkey Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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