Teos Ancient City

Teos is on the Aegean Sea southwest of Izmir; its Temple to Dionysus was important in pagan times. It is little but fields of grains and lentils interspersed with marble columns. The slope that rises gently from the sea, the green trees and fieldsi the view of offshore islands make Teos one of the most attractive of the ancient sites on the Aegean. It was supposed to have been founded before the 10th century BC and to have prospered early in its history.

Two literary men came from Teos, the 6th century BC poet Anacreon and the 1st century BC bibliophile Apellikon. Anacreon and the 1st century BC bibliophile Apellikon. Anacreon is known for his lyrics celebrating old age, love, spring, and wine and song. Apellikon bought Aristotle’s library and tried to save the pages that had suffered from being stored in a damp place. Unfortunately, mistakes were made as they were copied, and, likewise unfortunately, much of it was later lost in Egypt.

Teos came into fame as an artis’s colony in the 3rd century BC Members of its artists’ guild traveled around the Greek-speaking world to add their names and their talents to the glitter of the various music and drama festivals. Although by the 1st century the artists had fallen into disrepute as swaggering rowdies, Mark Anthony thought that their production was appropriate entertainment for Cleopatra who was staying in Priene.

Of the ruined buildings, the theater and the Temple to Dionysus stand out. The theater is nestled against the southern side of the hill looking out to sea. (When it was in use the stage building probably blocked the view for the dignitaries who sat in the front rows.)