Μητρόπολις | |
 The city's ruins as seen from the east. | |
  Metropolis Shown within Turkey | |
| Alternative name | Bademgediği Tepe |
|---|---|
| Location | Yeniköy,İzmir Province,Turkey |
| Region | Ionia |
| Coordinates | 38°07′30″N27°19′21″E / 38.12500°N 27.32250°E /38.12500; 27.32250 |
| Type | Settlement |
Metropolis (Ancient Greek:Μητρόπολις) is a classical city situated in westernTurkey near Yeniköy village inTorbali municipality - approximately 40 km SE ofİzmir. Occupation at the site Bademgediği Tepe goes back to theNeolithic period. In the Late Bronze Age, the city was known under theHittites as Puranda.Classical,Hellenistic,Roman,Byzantine, andOttoman periods are well represented at the site.
It is often referred to as the "City of theMother Goddess".[1][2]
The earliest known settlement at the site is from theNeolithic showing evidence of contact and influence with the Troy I littoral culture.[citation needed]
The city seems to be referred to as Puranda in the Annals ofMursilis II which described his invasion ofArzawa in the late 14th century BC.[3][4] According to the Annals, after Mursili conquered the capital of Arzawa,Apasas (laterEphesus) which was located some 30 km to the southwest, Hursanassan, Surudan, and Attarimman refugees fled to Puranda. The prince of Arzawa, Tapalazunauli, who had fled to the islands during the invasion, entered Puranda to lead the resistance, but Mursili took Puranda and Tapalazunauli fled with his family.[citation needed]
Mycenaean remains are also found.[5] Bademgedigi Tepe is the archaeological site in the area with large amounts of local Mycenaean pottery, ranging from the 14th to 12th century BC, and later.[6][7] A Mycenaean-age representation of a ship on a vase from Bademgediği Tepe is an important find that casts light on the development of ship technology and iconography on ceramic vessels.[8]
Metropolis was a part of theHellenistic kingdom ofPergamum and during this period the city reached a zenith of cultural and economic life. A temple dedicated to the war godAres, one of only two known such temples, has been located at this site.[9]
The city was noted by numerous classical authors includingStrabo[10] andPtolemy,[11] and described as a town in theCaystrian plain inLydia, on the road fromSmyrna toEphesus, at a distance of 120stadia from Ephesus, and 180 from Smyrna. Strabo relates that the district of Metropolis produced excellent wine.[12] The town was still noted by Byzantine authors such asStephanus of Byzantium[13] andHierocles.[14]
What is visible today is primarily a Hellenistic city heavily Romanised, and with Byzantine remains laid across it – a church to the east of the city, and fortification walls laid across the city that connect to the Hellenistic defenses on the Acropolis.
The city was first investigated througharchaeological field work from 1972 by ProfessorRecep Meriç from theDokuz Eylül University, İzmir. Metropolis has been excavated since 1989.[15]
In 1995, archaeologists discovered aHellenistic marbleseat of honor withgriffins in theAncient Theatre. The original seat of honor is displayed at theİzmir Archeological Museum and a replica has been placed at the theatre.[16]
In June 2021, archaeologists announced the discovery of a well-preserved 1,800-year-oldmarble statue of a woman standing on apedestal inTorbalı district. The head and two arms of the statue were missing.[17][18][19][20]
In 2025, archaeologists unearthed anagora on the southern slopes of the city. They believe it remained in use until the 5th or 6th century AD, but likely lost its function due to an earthquake.[21]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Metropolis".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
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