Claros Prophecy Centre

Claros(Prophecy Centre), a place where the concept of world citizenship adopted.Claros was an ancient Greek sanctuary on the coast of Ionia. It contained a temple and oracle of Apollo, honored here as Apollo Clarius. Claros, The Godhead God Apollo is one of the two important prophecy centers in Anatolia. İzmir is located at Menderes District at the base of Ahmetbeyli Valley, 13 km to the north of Kolophon and 2 km to the south of Notion.

There had been many applications this Prophecy Centre of Apollo Clarios from Anatolia(Bithynia, Mysia, Troas, Aiolis, Ionia, Lydia, Phygria ve Karia, Pisidia, Pamphylia, Paphlagonia, Cappodacia),Greece, Thrace, Macedonia, Islands(Such as Chios, Crete) and Syria Cities. In short, these applications could had been as individually or municipally from many parts of the Ancient World.

Alexander The Great applied to this center for the interpretation of a dream he had seen and set up the new town of Smyrna in Pagos upon receiving the answer that the new people to sit in Pagos would be 3-4 times more happy. Alexander's application to this center is the first individual application made here.Like the Hellenes, communities seen as Barbarians could apply to this center.This made Claros famous. It was a place where the concept of world citizenship is adopted.

Replicas of many statues found here is exhibited in this center. Many important figurines such as Artemis and homeros are in here. Original sculptures are in the surrounding museums. While you are walking here you can come across the foot pieces of the gigantic sculptures. There is entrance fee in Claros. If you visit during winter time, do not forget that some parts may be full of water because it is below the clathose floor. Since this city is in the Ionia region, you can also visit the neighboring cities which are Kolophon, Notion, Teos and Ephesus.

Alexander The Great

Alexander The Great, İstanbul Archaeological Museums.

Alexander The Great was King of Macedonia, Pharaoh of Egypt and Monarch of Asia.

Alexander was educated by the great philosopher Aristotle. Aristotle was a student of Plato whose teacher was Socrates. Aristotle, Plato and Socrates called as big three in philosophy. So Alexander had been equipped with the latest scientific ideas of the period, built in nearly a century, in 3 generations. He conceptualized the importance of science and philosophy.

His some interesting quotes about the one united world:

-This may originate from Plutarch's essay On the Tranquility of Mind, part of the essays Moralia: Alexander wept when he heard Anaxarchus discourse about an infinite number of worlds, and when his friends inquired what ailed him, "Is it not worthy of tears," he said, "that, when the number of worlds is infinite, we have not yet become lords of a single one?"

-There are no more other worlds to conquer!

The unification of all the nations of the world under one single state was a dream of him. He did not harm the religious temples which he captured, equated the Egyptian gods to the Greek gods and respected the cultures of other societies. His these features made him a popular ruler in lands outside of Macedonia.

Nearly Seventy cities were builded in new conquered lands and some of their names were Alexander. During his campaign he was taking along important people like scholars.

During the reign of his, Greek culture and greek language spread over a very wide area. Alexander became the pioneer of the Helenistic Period and prepared the foundations of the Roman Empire.

Alexander lost his life in Babylon at the age of 33. Without this surprise death, Our world would look very different from now. There could be the same language and religion in all other continents, except for the American continent in the world. Due to the importance given to informatics, maybe the world would not experience with medieval era. We could enter the industrial revolution era instead of entering the middle ages.

Teos Ancient City Olive Trees

Teos is located in Sığacık Neighborhood, Seferihisar District, İzmir Province of Turkey. It is one of the twelve Ionian Cities on the Aegean Coast and approximately 50 km away from the city center of Izmir. It can be reached by public transport. The entry to this ancient city is a fee and archaeological excavations continue in the ancient city. Dionysus temple, bouleuterion(council house), theater, cistern(fountain), acropolis, ancient port and ancient olive trees which are thousands years old must be seen. It is thought that this olive tree which I shot above and share with you is 1800 years old.

More than 200 old olive trees aged over 500-years-old are thought to be in the ancient city of Teos. The olive oil is obtained from these old trees by traditional methods in the lead of Seferihisar municipality. These oils are sold at auction held later. On October 16, 2017, auction was held for the second time under this 1800-year-old tree. Half a liter of olive oil, which can be obtained from this 1800 year old tree, was sold to 22 thousand Turkish liras (Approximately 6,000 American Dollars). This tree is located in the eastern of the Dionysus Temple in Teos Ancient City, a few hundred metres away from temple. In This auction, the oils were priced according to the age of the trees from which they were obtained. In total 137 liters of oil were sold to 49,200 Turkish Liras.

These olive trees are real monuments made by nature. These have bloomed for thousands of years and they continue to feed people. They saw Romans, Byzantines, Selchuks and Ottomans. Despite the fact that a lot of human beings generations have passed away from this world, they are still in the same place and alive like it was thousands of years ago. They are living witnesses in many historical events. I wish they could tell us what they saw.

1800 years old olive tree

Magnesia Ancient City

Magnesia Ancient City Stadion

Magnesia Ancient City reffered as "Magnesia ad Maeandrum" or "Magnesia on the Maeander". Maeander(Büyük Menderes) is a river where this city founded on one of the tributaries of Maeander. At the same time, Magnesia is a city which referred as Manisa Province of Turkey. A city called with its river helps to prevent misunderstanding. According to Strabo, Magnets founded Magnesia.

It is located in Tekin Village, Ortaklar Area, Germencik District, Aydın Province of Turkey. Magnesia nearly 80 km and 1 hour away from Adnan Menderes Airport in İzmir Province of Turkey. It is on the road between the Ortaklar and Söke. It was neighbour of crucial cities which included Ephesus, Priene and Tralleis Ancient Cities. 

The principal deity of the City is Artemis. There is a Temple and sacred area dedicated to Artemis. According to  Anciet Roman Period Writer Vitruvius, Architecture of Artemis Temple was Hermogenes, he was the first architect to apply the octagonal pseudodipteros temple plan. Vitruvius tells us that the main work of Hermogenes was the temple of Artemis Leukophryene in Magnesia. This temple was one of the greatest Artemis temples in Anatolia.

After walking around the sanctuary of Artemis, you can visit theatron, gymnasium and stadion, respectively. The City has one of the biggest stadions on the world. If you are going to this city, it is the stadion building you should definitely see. According to the entrance of the ancient city, the stadion remains far away. It may take some time to reach. The stadium is huge and magnificent. It has the capacity to allow monitoring of tens of thousands of people. The seats are made of marble. The city was known as the "city of races" due to many sports events were organized in antiquity times.

Swampy areas caused by alluviums carried by Maeander River led to formation of diseases, and the population gradually decreased over time. The artifacts found in Magnesia are exhibited in the Paris, Berlin and İstanbul Museums. Today, Archaeologiacal excavations continues in the city.

Miletus Ancient City

Theatre, Miletus Ancient City

It is located in Didim district of Aydın Province of Turkey. It is approximately 130 km and 1,5 hours away from Adnan Menderes Airport in İzmir Province of Turkey, one of the twelve Ionians States on Aegean Sea Coast of Western Anatolia and one of the strongest in the ionian States. Carians and Lelegians people lived here before the Greek peoples settled in Miletus. Hittites called it as Millawanda. Miletus was a very advanced city state in maritime. They set up colonies close to a hundred from Egypt to the Black Sea.

It was on the seaside when it was first founded. But, today, it is 10 km away from the sea shore, as a result of filling the sea of the great meander river. Because of Miletus's being away from the sea, the city lost his former splendor, over time his population gradually decreased, eventually the city became a village.

Thales, Hippodamus, Hecataeus, Anaximander and Anaximenes are famous people who grew up in the city. The famous mathematician Thales has laid the foundations of scientific work, suggesting that nature itself should be sought instead of searching for the cause of every event in mythological beings. Thales and his students are referred to as the "school of physicists" in the history of science. Hippodomus is one of the first city planners in history. He has systematized the grid-type city planning, which allows the city-forming structures to be placed on the intersecting streets

The Fauistina (name of Marcus Aurelius's wife) Baths, one of the largest Roman baths in Anatolia, Ionic Stoa and its theatre are worth seeing. The Miletus Archaeological Museum is located a few hundred meters from the ancient city. In addition to the arifacts inside museum, I also recommend you to see the artifacts in the museum garden. The ancient cities of Myus and Priene are the neighboring cities of Miletus. You can also visit them without too much time for transportation.

Miletus has a oracle center like Delphi and Claros, its name is Didymeion which dedicated to Apollo. Temple of Apollo wahich called as Didymeion is 20 km away from Miletus Ancient City, in the center of Didim District of Aydın Province. It is known that the construction of this temple was not completed. If it had been completed, it could be evaluated as one of the seven wonders of the world.

Priene Ancient City

Temple of Athena, Priene Ancient City

Priene Ancient City is located in Söke District of Aydın Province of Turkey. The City is one of the twelve Ionian city states established on the coast of the aegean sea in western Anatolia. Güllübahçe is modern name of here. Priene is approximately 103 km and 1 hour-20 minutes away from Adnan Menderes Airport in Izmir. Bias, one of the Seven Sages of antiquity, grew up here.

Despite being a sea-front city in the past, it is today a large plain viewing area as a result of the alluviums brought by the Meander river. According to Eflatun, the city is the city where the moonlight shines most beautifully. (Of course, when the view of the sea is not the view of the plain.)

Priene, one of the world's first known grid-planned (hippodamos) city. It is the most beautiful example of old city planning. The city was built with the grid system developed by the architect of Miletus hippodamos.The streets of the city, which is generally 3.5 meters wide, have stairs because of the slope of the grounds. All the streets cut each other upright.

Priene is a member of the Ion union of 12 cities.The place chosen for the Panionion (the community in which the 12 Ionian government decisions are taken) is located in the territory of Priene. This has given them political power. Since the Samos claim their rights on the coastal belt that this state has established, they have been in dispute with the Samos for centuries. 

The construction of today's city began with the meander river filling the settlement with alluvium. The construction of this new city came upon Alexander's arrival. He has paid the expenses of the Temple of Athena of Alexandria, and he has the right to dedicate himself. The architect of the Priene Athene Temple is Pythius, who designed the Halicarnassus Mozeles, one of the seven wonders of the world.

Multiple periods have been experienced in this city. It hosts the Byzantine Church, the Temple of Athena and a synagogue. The well preserved 5000-seat theater, water canals, fortification walls, agora, gymnasionu, 5-column standing athena temple, roman bath complex, parliament building, Alexander House and great Meander river delta view are worth seeing.

Teos Ancient City

Bouleuterion(Council House), Teos.

To Arrive Teos

Teos Ancient City is located in İzmir Province of Turkey. Teos Antique City is one of the twelve Ionian city states established on the coast of the aegean sea in western Anatolia. Sığacık is modern name of here.

The city is located in Sığacık neighbourhood of Seferihisar district of İzmir province. The town of Seferihisar is approximately 47 km away from İzmir city center and 1 hour away. Teos Antique City is approximately 63 km and 1 hour away from Adnan Menderes Airport in Izmir. You can reach Seferihisar from İzmir by public transports (no: 985 ESHOT-Seferihisar&Üçkuyular Port) and private dolmushes. 

When you get to the center of Seferihisar district, you have to travel about 8 km to go to the ancient city of Teos. There are public transports (no:640 ESHOT-Sığacık&Seferihisar) and private dolmushes in Seferihisar town center for reach Teos. The entrance fee to the ancient city of Teos is 5 Turkish Liras. 

Buildings in Teos

Theater, Cistern, Acropolis, Temple of Dionysus(Ruins), Bouleuterion(Council House) and Southern Port of the ancient city are worth seeing. It is Council House that must be seen in them. From the city's acropolis you can see both the north and south ports of the city.

Theatre

Its theater has a wonderful sea landscape. There is an island on scenery. It is located on a hill. The view of phosphorescence would be very nice here on the full moon. It's scene is well-preserved but seating part has lost most of pieces. Dionysus is god of wine and theatre, so there should had been losts of entartainments about Dionysus in this theatre.

Dionysus Temple

The Roman writer Vitruvius describes this temple built by architect Hermogenes. It is one of the largest Dionysus Temples in the world. The principal deity of Teos was Dionysus(god of fertility,wine, theatre - Bacchus in Rome) so this temple dedicated to Dionysus.

Persons of Teos

The Asiatic branch of the Artists of Dionysus(Poet, musician, theater and singers) performed here a particular period. Poet Anacreon, philosophers Epicurus and Nausiphanes(Epicurus was for three years a student in the Ionian city of Teos, where his teacher was Nausiphanes), Apellicon(a wealthy Greek book collector who rescued Aristotle's manuscripts), Antimachus, historian Hecataius were born or studied in Teos Ancient City.

Pergamon Ancient City

Pergamon Theatre and Scenery from Acropolis

Pergamon

The ancient city of Pergamon is where the parchment paper is invented and the name comes from the parchment. The library of the city has an important place in history. Pergamon Antique City is one of the twelve aeolians city states established on the coast of the aegean sea in western Anatolia. It is located on the Caicus River, today Bakırçay River which flows into the aegean sea. 

To Arrive Pergamon

Pergamon Ancient City is located in İzmir Province of Turkey. The city is located in Bergama district of İzmir province. The town of Bergama is approximately 110km and 1 hour 40 minutes away from İzmir city center. You can go directly to Bergama via motorway from the center of Izmir. If you want to go by a suburban train, you can go as far as neighboring district Aliağa. You can get on this suburban train in the Adnan Menderes Airport. This suburban train call as İZBAN. Pergamon Antique City is approximately 135 km and 2 hours away from Adnan Menderes Airport in Izmir.

When you get to the center of Bergama district, Because of Pergamon is a very big city, you have to spend a lot of time to visit all the buildings. It is in extreme and uncomfortable temperature during summer days.

Bergama Museum, Asklepion Healing Centre of Pergamon, Pergamon Acropolis and Red Hall (Red Basilica, Red Court) of Pergamon are worth seeing. The others except the acropolis are in the city center. It can be visited on foot. You can see many artifacts, especially the first tools used in medicine history in the Bergama Museum. There ıs a statue of Egyptian God Sekhmet in Red Hall.

Pergamon Acropolis

The acropolis of Bergama is located on a hill 4 km away from the city center. You can go here by land or by cable car. If you go by cable car, you can see all the city and historical buildings very well. The view of the Acropolis is magnificent. 

In the acropolis of the city, the theater, the roman house, Sanctuary of Demeter, the gymnasium and the trajan temple are worth seeing. The theater of the ancient city of Pergamon is one of the steepest theaters in the world. If you do not pay attention when walking, you can easily roll down. There are many ornaments and figures in the Roman house. You can also see the bases of the Temple of Zeus, now exhibited in the Pergamon Museum in Germany.

Since the acropolis of the ancient city of Pergamon is built on a hill, you must walk downwards to see the roman house, and you must go upwards while you are back. This can make you very tired. Consider this situation on hot summer days.

Pergamon Asklepion

It is one of the first hospitals in the world. There is treatment building, temple, theater, tunnels, sleeping rooms and lots of other things. You can see the symbols of medicine, snake figures, on many stones. People from many parts of the ancient world came here to be treated. 

Ephesus Ancient City

Ephesus Library

To Arrive Ephesus

Ephesus Ancient City is located in İzmir Province of Turkey.
Ephesus Antique City is one of the twelve ionian city states established on the coast of the aegean sea in western Anatolia.
The city is located in Selçuk district of İzmir province. The town of Selçuk is approximately 80 km away from İzmir city center and 1 hour away. You can arrive by motorway and railway from İzmir city center. The train road starts from the Basmane Station in İzmir City Centre.
Ephesus Antique City is approximately 60 km and 45 minutes away from Adnan Menderes Airport in Izmir.
When you get to the center of Selçuk district, you have to travel about 3 km to go to the ancient city of ephesus. There are public transports within 3 km distance.

Buildings in Ephesus 

Because Ephesus is a very big city, you have to spend a lot of time to visit all the buildings. It is in extreme and uncomfortable temperature during summer days.
In the city, the library, the theater, the odeon, the terrace houses, the hadrian temple, the Mary church, the trajan fountain are worth seeing. It is also made of stone and has wide streets.

In order to enter the terrace houses, you must pay a separate fee from the entrance fee. The terrace houses are covered and protected. It's a wide and covered area.

The theater of ancient city of Ephesus has giant dimensions.

Other Places to Visit

The church of Saint Jean, one of the 12 apostles of Christ, is located in the city center of selcuk.

The temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world, was located in the ancient city of Ephesus. Today, the location of the temple is known and open to visitors, but nothing remains except a few columns behind the temple.

Saint Jean Church, Ruins of The Temple of Artemis and Ephesus Museum is located in the center of the Selçuk Town. When you arrive Selçuk city centre, you can visit these 3 places on foot. There is amazing Artemis Statues and lots of other things in Ephesus Museum.

Saint Jean and Virgin Mary lived in Ephesus. The house of virgin mary is about 9 km and 15 minutes away from selçuk city center. You can visit there too.

Socrates Quotes

• There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.
• An honest man is always a child.
• I am not an Athenian nor a Greek, but a citizen of the world.
• I was really too honest a man to be a politician and live.
• When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.
• Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.
• The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.
• I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing. 
• From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate.
• Get not your friends by bare compliments, but by giving them sensible tokens of your love.
• Know thyself.
• True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.
• Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.
• Be as you wish to seem.
• Beauty is the bait which with delight allures man to enlarge his kind. 
• False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil. 
• Worthless people love only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live.
• Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.  

Socrates is believed to be the founder of the Greek philosophy. He criticized the false beliefs of the living community and argued that the only guide is the mind. So, he was condemned to death as a result of deep criticism. Despite being a chance to escape, he preferred death.

In his living, there was a close harmony between his thoughts and actions. His this aspect gained respect him and provided the development of his ideas by followers.

Plato, the most famous student of Socrates, raised Aristotle. Aristotle also raised Alexander the Great who enabled the Greek philosophy to spread to the world.

He was constantly trying to reach the truth by asking hard questions and making definitions.This method of work has evolved from Aristotle to renaissance and forms the basis of today's formal logics and systematic ethics.