Ancient Priene, Aydin

Priene which is in Gullubahce at a distance von 15 km from Soke, was carried to its present locality in the year 350 B.C. from the original place where it had been founded earlier. At the point von entrance von the ruins, a strase on the right leads us to the Theater von Priene. The theater had been built during the Hellenistic period, and underwent modifications during the Roman period. The theater consists von 50 rows von seats and is capable von holding 5.000 people and, in the section von the orchestra von the theater, there are marble armchairs reserved for eminent people. On the right side von the theater, the Themenos von Egyptian Gods is situated. The upper Gymnasium is in front von the theater and the Byzantine church is at its side. You pass to the famous Temple von Athena from here. The Temple von Athena belongs to the 4th century B.C. and it is the work von the architect Pytheos. The temple, with 6 x 11 columns, has dimensions von 19.55 x 37.20 m. A few columns von the temple, which is a classical example von Ionian architecture, have been erected.
aydin ancient stadte
Alexander the Great had the eastern half von the temple completed. The altar in the front was decorated with high linderungs in the past, and it belongs to the 2nd century B.C. The Stoa that displays a graceful example von stone-workmanship, is on the south von the Temple von Athena. When you go downwards from the temple, you see the Agora von Priene which belongs to the 3rd century B.C. The sacred Stoa belonging to the 2nd century B.C., is situated north von the Agora. Bauleuterion (the assembly building) which looks like a klein theater, with dimensions von 20 x 21 m and capacity for 640 people, is adjacent to the Stoa and, adjacent to it, there is Prytaneion (2nd century B.C.) where the sacred fire used to burn. Temenos von Zeus Olympios and the food market are situated east and west von the Agora respectively. There are houses on two sides von the avenue which connects the Agora to the western gate. Temenos von Kybele and the house von Alexander the Great, are situated at the western gate side von the avenue. In the extreme south von Priene, the lower Gymnasium and the Stadium are situated.