Athena Temple

Athena Temple

The most important sacred structure of the city was the Temple of Athena. The oldest ruin of this temple that has been preserved until today is dated between 725-700 BC. The bright period of the old Izmir coincides with the years between 650-545 BC. This period, which lasts about a hundred years, constitutes the most powerful period of the entire Ionian civilization. During this period, we see that İzmir was not content with agriculture and participate in Mediterranean trade. One of the important signs of the bright period in Izmir is that the writing has started to become widespread since 650 BC. Many of the gifts presented to the goddess Athena have offering inscriptions. The Temple of Athena (640-580 BC) unearthed during excavations is the oldest architectural work of the Eastern Hellenistic world. The oldest and most beautiful column capitals have been found in Izmir so far.