HISTORY OF IASOS

Like many greek cities, Iasos also had bragged about its origins. The citizens believed that they came from those who immigrated from Argos in Peleponnesos. This belief may be put forward in the excavations in which there had been a Mycean existence and effect or the colonisation memory mentioned by ancient writers later. In fact the earliest findings belongs to Chalcolithic Era even probably Neolitic Era. And the site on which Iasos had been constructed has been a connection between Anatolian and Aegean cultures for a couple of thousand years.

At the Inner part, Necropolis in the north of the city and next to Artemis Astias sacred area, some coevaled tombs in the Roman agora hints that there had been two separate settlement complex in which they had got their own catacomb in forementioned period. One of these complex must be on the hills of peninsula and the other one must be on near the inner necropolis.

Thus far there has been no traces of any civilization that can be dated back to from The Late Bronze Age to the next period and the beginning of the Middle Bronze Age (app. BC 23-19 centuries). In addition with this, the findings found in these sites and ceramics which came from Crete, Kyklad and Dodecanes shows us that there are strict relationship between Iasos and Aegean island.

During the first period of BC 7th century, Iasos was under the influance of Miletos. According to the tradition those who came from Argos built city with the help of Miletos. When the natives resisted, the son of Neleus (Miletos founder) reached their help. Thats the reason why Iasos became a Ionian city instead of Dorian.

In the middle of BC 5th century, the city's name was on the list of tax wage of Delian League which was an unfair federation built by Athens many greek cities.

During the war between Greeks and Persian army, Satrap Tissaphernes and Spartan army sacked the Iasos and then Persian army was located. After the domination of Persia, Iasos was led by Carian satrap Hekatomnos. This process was naturally countered with resistance.

After the Anatolian conquest of Alexander the Great, Iasos was rescued. There has been some changes and was founded democratic system.

The interesting relationship between Iasos and Alexander the Great impacted about a legend related to Hermias and the dolphin. Having mentioned in the city coins, Alexander the Great who was under the influence of this, brings the young man with him to make him priest.

After the death of Alexander the Great, during the turmoil years, we do not know much about the city. The battle between the successors made the city to change leader in sequeantial order.

Through the end of BC 3th century, Alinda ruler was the target of Olympikhos' attacks. Having been suffocated by attacks, Iasos wanted the help of Rhodos which shared the same origins.

BC 199/8 (according to some authorities BC 228) earthquake gave a huge damage to the city. Related with this the inscription tells us that Antiokhos' wife Laodike gave a helping hand.

With the Antiokhos' defeat in Magnesia ad Spylum, then after the Apameia Peace Iasos probably was included in Rhodos perea. This situation continued to BC 167, the same year it was changed by Roman victory against Macedonian king Perseus. After the Roman domination in Iasos, the city became a part of Asian thema. The city led a peaceful life during the Imperial era. The magnificient construction projects started in Traianus era. Bouleuterion was rebuilt, settlement embellished with mosaics was constructed.

We know less about the later era. The peaceful life was corrupted by barbarian immigrations in AD 3th century. Our knowledge about Iasos after these events belongs to Christianity. The Byzantian settlement ended in 15th century. There are not any certain knowledge but findings that came from basilica next to agora shows us at least there were a small existence of the city during early Ottoman Era.