Ἀταρνεύς(in Ancient Greek) | |
_Dikili_Turkey.jpg) A view of the plain near Dikili from the site of Atarneus | |
  Shown within Turkey | |
| Location | Dikili,Izmir Province,Turkey |
|---|---|
| Region | Aeolis |
| Coordinates | 39°05′29″N26°55′15″E / 39.09127°N 26.92073°E /39.09127; 26.92073 |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Associated with | Hermias,Proxenus |
Atarneus (/əˈtɑːrniəs/;Ancient Greek:Ἀταρνεύς), also known asAtarna (Ἄταρνα)[1] andAtarneites (Ἀταρνείτης),[2] was anancient Greek city in the region ofAeolis,Asia Minor. It lies on the mainland opposite the island ofLesbos. It was on the road fromAdramyttium to the plain of theCaicus.[3] Its territory was called theAtarneitis.
Atarneus seems to be the genuine original name, though Atarna, orAtarnea, andAterne[4] may have prevailed afterwards.Stephanus of Byzantium, who only gives the name Atarna, consistently makes the ethnic name Atarneus.Herodotus tells a story of the city and its territory, both of which were named Atarneus, being given to theChians byCyrus the Great, for their having surrendered to himPactyes the Lydian.[5] Stephanus[6] and other ancient authorities consider Atarneus to be theTarne written of in theIliad byHomer;[7] but perhaps incorrectly. The territory was a good corn country.Histiaeus the Milesian was defeated by the Persians atMalene in the Atarneitis, and taken prisoner.[8] The place was occupied at a later time by some exiles fromChios, who from this strong position sallied out and plunderedIonia.[9][10]Dercylidasbesieged the city for eight months and at the end the citizens of the city accepted his terms. He appointed Dracon ofPellene in charge of the city.[11]
Atarneus flowered in the 4th century BCE, when it was the seat of government ofHermias of Atarneus, a friend ofAristotle, ruling over the area from Atarneus toAssos. The city was deserted by inhabitants in the 1st century BCE, possibly following an outbreak of an unknown epidemic.Pausanias says that the same calamity befell the Atarneitae which drove theMyusii from their city; but as the position, of the two cities was not similar, it is not quite clear what he means.[12] They left the place, however, if his statement is true; andPliny the Elder, in his time, mentions Atarneus as no longer a city.[13] Pausanias speaks of hot springs at Astyra, opposite to Lesbos, in the Atarneus.[14]
The city is known by many for its association with the life ofAristotle. After the death of his father, Aristotle was cared for and educated byProxenus of Atarneus, possibly an uncle of his. At the Academy Aristotle made friends with Hermias, who was later to become the ruler of Atarneus. Indeed, after the death of Plato, Aristotle went to stay with Hermias, subsequently marrying Hermias's niece Pythia.
According toPliny the Elder, theCetionis which was a transparent stone of many colours could be found in Atarneus.[15]
Its site is located at Kale Tepe, northeast of the town ofDikili,Asiatic Turkey.[16][17]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Atarneus".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
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