Smyrna (Ancient city and seaport)

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

an ancient city and seaport of Asiatic Turkey, on the W. coast of Asia Minor, at the head of the gulf of the same name. The H IKEΣIΠ COIN OF SMYRNA appearance of the city from the sea is extremely attractive, but a closer inspection dissipates the illusion. The houses, mostly built of wood, are mean and fragile-looking; the streets close and filthy and filled with intolerable stenches proceeding from the sewers and drains. The city is divided into four quarters-Frank, Turk, Jew, and Armenian. There is an English hospital, church, and buryingground, English schools, and numerous schools for Turks, Greeks, and others; all sects and faiths having complete toleration, Smyrna has been for centuries the most important place of trade in Asia Minor. The chief imports are cotton manufactures, woolen cloths, colonial goods, iron, steel, and hardware goods. The principal exports are dried fruits (especially figs), cotton, silk, goats' hair, sheep and camels' wool, rugs, madder root, yellow berries, sponges, and opium. The origin of Smyrna is lost in antiquity. It laid claim to the honor of being the birthplace of Homer, and no doubt was a Greek city as early as the date assigned to the poet. It was afterward taken by the Lydians, was restored by Antigonus and Lysimachus, generals of Alexander the Great, became the capital of Antigonus and a flourishing city. During the Roman civil wars it was taken and partly destroyed by Dolabella, but soon recovered. It early received Christianity, and was one of the "seven churches" of Asia. In the 13th century only the ruins of its former splendor were left; but after the Turks became masters of the country it revived. It has repeatedly suffered from earthquake. After the World War Smyrna was awarded to Greece, by whom it was occupied in 1919. Pop. about 350,000.