The Ancient City of Priene

This remarkable ancient Ionian city is located 15 km to the south from Söke, on the top of Samson Mountain, within the borders of Güllübahce village of Söke. While public transportation (Dolmus) is common from Kusadasi to Söke, only Aydin Municipality has yellow buses that depart at certain times to reach this ancient city.

The road to the city splits from the main road for a steep road to the top of the hill which can be tiring in summer while the city is covered with pine trees all around and it provides a partial protection to visitors from the hot summer sun.

It has a bouleuterion, Athena Temple, agora, odeion, Egyptian god area, gymnasium and a 116 m long stoa that should be seen.

According to the narratives from the ancient period until today, the founders of the city were colonists who migrated to Ionia.

Their leader is Aepytos, the son of Kodros, the legendary founder of Athens. For this reason, it is assumed that Priene always remained connected to Athens in the historical process.

Between the years 645-546, he lived under the rule of Lydia and then under the domination of Persia. One of the seven sages, who are thought to have lived in the 6th century, is referred to as "Bias from Priene" in the Historia of Herodotus.

He was involved in the Ionian Revolt of 500-494. We know that he fought against the Persians in the Lade War with 12 ships. In the process up to this point, apart from the written sources, we have BC. There are electron coins dated to 500 BC.