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Ionia is the ancient region of the western coast of Anatolia, namely
most of today's Aegean Region. Ionians were the first Greeks that have
migrated from the Greek mainland to Anatolia fleeing from the Dorian
invaders probably around 10th century BC. Because of the superb natural
advantages of the region, Ionia was an extremely brilliant civilization
in many ways. Neighbouring Lydia on the east and Caria in the south,
Ioania consisted of 12 city-states. Common interests of the states led
the 12 Ionian cities to form a confederacy but each city remained
autonomous. Most important of these cities were Ephesus, also the
capital of the confederacy, Smryna (modern Izmir), Priene, Lebedus, Teos
and Miletus. Smyrna was originally settled by the Aeolian Greeks, but
was later occupied by colonists from Colophon and became an Ionian city.
Around the 6th and 7th centuries BC, Ioania get involved into a series of wars against Lydia and came under the rule of Lydians. The Region were then invaded by the Persians in 546 BC but with the support of Athens they revolted against the Persian rule. Persians declared war against Greece but were defeated by the Greeks mostly with the help of the Ionians. Ionia could protect its partial freedom until the conquerence by Alexander the Great. Ionia was then subsequently ruled by the Roman and Byzantine Empires. Ioanians were the first Greek-speaking people that have inhabited in Anatolia. They were one of the 4 main ancient Greek groups using s Ioanian dialect of the Greek language. The other 3 Greek groups were the Dorians, Achaeans and the Aeolians. almost all the Aegean Islands were Ionians and Athenians were the only Ioanins of the Greek mainland. Another interesting fact about the Ioanians is that Marseilles of France was actually founded by the Ioanians from Phocaea in Ioania. |