History of Izmir, Turkey
Izmir’s history goes back to 3000 BC C. According to the results of historical knowledge and archaeological excavations. The findings and research results have a lot to illuminate the history of Izmir made: The continuous excavations on the back of Bayrakli Prof. Dr. Ekrem Akurgal since 1959, the discovery of the Zeus Altar by the German archaeologist Carl Humman in Pergamon (Bergama) between 1866 and 1878, the discovery of the Temple of Artemis in 1869 by the British Wood and the continuous excavations by Austrian archaeologists at certain intervals of the ancient city of Ephesus since 1904. Many researchers at universities are still investigating the historical development of the city.
Many legends are known about the derivation of the name of Izmir. According to the findings from scientific studies of the term “Izmir” came from Smyrna in the ancient Ionic dialect was written in Smyrna in Attica (Athens) dialect. The word “Smyrna was not Greek, roots came from Anatolia, as many other names in the Aegean region of texts belong to 2000 BC found in Kültepe settlement in Kayseri, a place called Tismyrna was and the (Ti) initially failed and the city was declared as Smyrna. Thus, the town called Smyrna the early years of 3000 BC or the end of 1800 a. C. In the Turkish era the city was called Izmir.
In the years of 3000 a. C. Western Anatolia was under the influence of the rich culture of Troy. The settlement developed on the Aegean coast under the general influence of Troy and built. The Hittites which Homer wrote the Iliad, were an active force and civilization in pastures in the mountains of Anatolia, as the Trojans were allies of the Hittites and had a great influence on the settlements of the Aegean. In fact Pitane (Candarli) in Bakirçay basin and similar settlements were built by the Hittites. It is believed that the Amazons lived in the area between Caria and Lydia, now is the side of the mountains Yamanlar and took of their existence until the arrival of the Aiolos and ions.
Aiolos and ions, the Doric invasion around 1000 BC fled Greece and settled in Izmir and the surrounding area. The important Aeolians and Ionian settlements are as follows: Bergama (Pergamon), Manisa (Magnesia), Izmir (Smyrna), Urla (Klazomenai near Cesme) Kemalpasa (Nimphaion), Cesme-Ildırı (Erythrai) Sigacik (TEOS) Phokaia, Selcuk ( Ephesus).
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By the seventh century a. C. Smyrna was richer because of its trade with its neighbors, especially Lydia. were captured its good neighborly relations with Lydia lasted until the Lydians, the Persians. Persian sovereignty ended with Alexander’s arrival to Anatolia in 334 BC During this period, which began in the Hellenistic period, around a new settlement Kadifekale (Mount Pagos) and its city walls was one of the Hellenistic period and have undergone many restorations in later periods .
The city, which was bound in 197 a. C. Pergamon Empire were in control of the Roman Empire, after a brief period between 27 BC and 324 AD Roman control transformed Izmir into an important trading center and port city. Izmir in the west was seen as the center of Asia. During this period the Agora, the Acropolis, theater, stadium and the building was not far, such as libraries and the fountains were built during this period.
The two routes ranging from Kadifekale (Mt. Pagos) to Ephesus and Sardis were built during the Roman era. divided in 324 AD after the Roman Empire into two was, Smyrna and Ephesus was of the Byzantines was all taken an important cultural and religious center in the classic Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine times. An important fact was not during the Byzantine period.
Despite Izmir came into the possession of the Hun Emperor Attila, this authority is not long and the re-capture of the city, the Byzantines.
Kutalmisoglu Süleyman Shah in 1076 was the first winner of Izmir by the Seljuk Turks. were conquered in the time that the famous sea admiral Caka Bey as the mayor of Izmir, Urla Foca and Sakiz islands (Chios), Samos, and was appointed Istankoy (Cos). After the death Caka Bey the city and its surroundings have been taken over by the Byzantines in 1098th Then İzmir was conquered by the Knights to the time that Istanbul was the Crusaders. In 1320 the Turkish sailor Umur Bey returned Izmir gentlemen Catholics, adding that the Turkish soil.
In the period of the principalities were Izmir and its nearby surroundings, under the reign of Prince Saruhanogullari. Pergamon (Bergama) and its surroundings were bound Karesiogullari principality. The reign of Izmir and the surrounding area was Ottoman hands completely in 1426th
The following Turkish architectural constructions are distinguished examples of Turkish culture during the Ottoman era, built, adorned Izmir for centuries: The Hisar Mosque, the mosque Sadirvan, Hatuniye Mosque, the Konak Yali Mosque, the Mosque of Kemeralti kestane Bazaar Mosque, Izmir clock tower Kizlaragasi the Han (Inn – building control) and Posadas Mirkelamoglu Cakaloglu and other social services (trade places for the night), Bedesten (Ottoman special trade construction).
Beginning with the 16th Century Smyrna had an important place in world trade. There was an increase in the consulates of other countries, mainly because of the capitulations, which provided the Ottoman government for Europe. It is known that these consulates participated trading activities and each of their ships at anchor in the bay.
The castle was built at the narrowest point of the bay, watching the ships entering and leaving the Gulf of Izmir. The new buildings were built in the second half of the century, the development of trade in the city. These buildings are the most important examples of the customs building in the 19th Century, the areas of packaging, insurance, securities and banking.
In the years of the liberation struggle, Smyrna suffered a huge wreck with great destruction and fires. Driving away with the Greek army by the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, 9 Began in September 1922, Izmir in becoming a modern city of the young Turkish Republic and developed this character more everyday.
Today, Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey with a population of 3,739,353 (December 2007). In addition to the city, there are several small towns and resorts near Izmir, and Foca, Cesme, Seferihisar, Teos, Urla, Gumuldur and so on.