#priene

Today, we started heading back south. The boat sailed south out of Kuşadasi while some of us headed inland to ancient Priene.

Kuşadasi is a major tourist location. While we were there, four cruise ships and many private boats were in the harbor. Docked next to us was a private yacht owned by a Khazak mining magnate.

It cost $65 million, has a crew of 19, and spends most of its time in this dock. We watched the crew scrub down the stern as we prepared to leave.

It's for sale if you are interested.

Then, it was into a van for the drive to Priene.

Priene was another Greek/Roman town but on the side of a hill. It was an early experiment for the Greeks in geometric town planning. It was all laid out on a regular grid, with defined commercial, municipal, and residential zones. This was not new in the ancient world; it had been standard in Mesopotamia for eons, but the Greeks lived in hilly areas and typically built around the terrain.

As usual, we stopped in shady places throughout the site for short discussions on various facets of the town.

Our first stop was the theater.

The premium seating in the first row was well preserved.

The stage was also well preserved. It was on top of the columns in the background.

There was a small Christian church in a basilica format.

In the center was a stair that would have served a platform for giving the sermon.

Then, it was to the Temple of Athena.

Amazingly, those columns are not re-erected but still stand from ancient times.

Then down to the Agora.

The bouleuterion also follows the rectilinear model of the town, quite different from the standard semi-circular shape.

Then back down the hill and back to the boat.

Priene is an Ionian city located approximately 100 km away from Selçuk-Ephesus in Söke, Aydın. Its strategic advantage comes from being built on a steep rock at an elevation of 370 m, providing protection against attacks. Additionally, its elevated position allows visibility from different directions. Situated in Güllübahçe Mahallesi, a district of Söke, Priene Ancient City is considered one of the most beautiful and remarkable examples of ancient city planning globally. Placed 15 km southwest of Söke, the ancient city's location on a steep rocky terrain at 370 meters has historically offered a significant advantage against potential attacks from the sea and surroundings.

The ancient city's information dates back to ancient sources in the 7th century BC, and it is believed that Priene was founded in the 2nd century BC. As part of Ionian civilization, Priene was one of the 12 Ionian city-states, including Ephesus and Miletus.

Aphrodite of Priene

Hellenistic statue, marble

2nd-1st century BCE

Bias of Priene (6th century BCE)

* one of the seven sages

* roman bronze coin,  minted in Priene, 2nd / 3rd century CE

* Numismatic collection, Berlin state museums

https://smb.museum-digital.de/index.php?t=objekt&oges=158806&cachesLoaded=true