Famous Philosophers who lived in İzmir

Did you know that some of the most important philosophers of the Ancient Age lived in İzmir?
Homer

Homer, one of the most famous names who lived in Izmir, is the author of important epics, the first great works of Western literature such as Iliad and Odyssey.

According to the English scientist George Thomson’s book, "Prehistoric Aegean", the place where Homer is most likely to be born is Chios. Thomson says that Homer may have been born in Smyrna as well.

Story competitions continue to be held in İzmir in memory of Homer, who influenced countless literati from Shakespeare to James Joyce.

Xenophanes

The famous philosopher and poet Xenophanes lived in Kolofon in the 6th century B.C. and wrote most of his works here. The philosopher who became famous as Xenophanes of Lolofon in his time, opposed traditions, prophecies, and the human form of polytheism.

Xenophanes, who had to leave İzmir after the occupation of Anatolia by Persians in 540 B.C., lived the rest of his life in Southern Italy and died in Elea.

Heraclitus

The famous Greek philosopher Heraclitus, the owner of the famous saying, "No man ever steps in the same river twice" lived in Ephesus between 540-480 BC. As the first person to establish a dynamic philosophical system in the history of Western philosophy, Heraclitus is also known for his theory of existence, which suggests that the first substance that objects come from and go to is fire.

Anaxagoras

Important Pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Anaxagoras is thought to have been born in Klazomenai City, near Urla. Anaxagoras, a member of one of the noble families of the city, was a philosopher who devoted his life to science and spent all his fortune for this purpose. Although Anaxagoras was born in İzmir, he became the first thinker to travel from the region to Athens and produced many works there.

Galen

Galen, who was also the founder of experimental physiology and the first sports physician in the world in addition to his philosopher identity, also lived in İzmir. This scientist and doctor of medicine, also known as Galen of Pergamon, was so important in his field to be called as the Emperor of the Physicians and the Father of the Physicians. In fact, Galen's medical views were called “Galenism” and continued its effect in medicine for centuries.