Ancient city of Ionia , north of the
According to {{link=Strabo">Strabo , it was founded by Ionians and Thebans. It was sacked in the 7th century BC but regained its position in the 6th century BC. It prospered under the Romans and Byzantines but gradually declined. After passing into Turkish hands in the 13th century AD, it was abandoned. Archaeological excavations revealed a Greek town built on terraces; atop a nearby hill is a temple of Athena Polias that was dedicated by Alexander the Great in 334 BC.