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Prien's History

It is believed that the name of Priene is not Greek but is related to pre-Greek names of Cretan origin. In recent years, the theory gains weight that Priene was one of the cities of the Kingdom of Ahhiyava, which is believed to have been founded in the Miletus region, and that its name also derives from that origin. Therefore, our knowledge of the initial foundation of the city, whose existence goes back to the 2nd millennium BC, rests on hypotheses. The fact that the location of the pre-4th century BC Priene has not yet been able to be determined up to the present day. According to the information from ancient sources, Pausanias has written that Priene was founded by Aipythos, son of Neleus of Athens, and by Philotas of Thevai, and that the native population was Carian, whereas Strabo gave the information that the city was founded by Philotas and that it was then called Kadme.

It is also believed that Priene was founded (like Ephesus) by Amazon queens.

Temple of Athena

Priene Ancient Town

Priene

Archaeologists on the other hand, basing their claim upon the results of certain research, say that the first city was actually located at its present site, but because of the rising level of the land, due to its filling up with alluvial deposits of river Meander, it had remained inland and that during this period the outlet of the city was provided by the port of Naulochos. Another hypothesis is that the city was situated not in the Meander valley, but in the northern part of the mountain of Samson (Mount Mycale). Furthermore, it is identified with the much destroyed city of Melie situated within the ruins of the fortress visible here.The city would have outlets via two ports, one in the north, and the other in the south (Naulochos). The information gathered from ancient sources and from recent theses differ widely. Nevertheless, to conclude, it is accepted that Priene was a small city, that it was situated on a peninsula close to Miletus and that it had two ports.

Since The site of this first city could not be determined and no concrete findings have been obtained. The only piece found is the electrum coin discovered in Clazomenae. This coin, with the head of Athena on it, and which can be dated back to 500 BC, is evidence that Priene was attached to the Ionian League.

The city which, it is certain, was linked to the Panionion from its foundation onward, was, like all Ionian cities, attacked by the Kimmers in the mid-7 th century BC, but since this sack was of a transitory nature, the city recovered in a short time. At the end of the 7th century BC, Priene was captured by the Lydians and remained for some time under the rule of this kingdom.

The 6th century BC was the most prosperous era of Priene, as for all other Ionian cities. In the beginning of 6th century BC, Bias, one of the "Seven Sages" was born in Priene, and he put into order the laws of his city. This brilliant era ended in 545 BC when Mazares, the commander of the Persian king Cyrus, attacked the city, burnt it down completely and enslaved its people. After a difficult period, Priene participated in the Ionian revolt against the Persians started in 500 BC and joined the Battle of Lade with 12 ships.
Since The site of this first city could not be determined and no concrete findings have been obtained. The only piece found is the electrum coin discovered in Clazomenae. This coin, with the head of Athena on it, and which can be dated back to 500 BC, is evidence that Priene was attached to the Ionian League.