Ionia

Ionia, the name of the central portion of the west coast of Asia Minor, bounded by the Hermus on the north and the Maeander on the south, which was colonised by Ionian Greeks, said to have migrated under Androcles and Neleus about B.C. 1050. The chief cities of the Ionian confederacy were Miletus, Chios, Samos, and Ephesus, and later, Smyrna, its limits extending to the islands and the adjacent districts. The chief sanctuary of the league was the Panionium on the north side of the promontory of Mycale. The cities of Ionia were subdued by the Lydians under Croesus, and fell with Lydia under the Persian yoke. Their unsuccessful revolt (B.C. 500-496) led to the invasions of Greece by Darius and Xerxes. After the repulse of the latter they regained independence for a time (B.C. 469-387). After the conquest of Alexander the Great, Ionia formed part of the Macedonian kingdom of Pergamos, and in B.C. 130 became part of the Roman provinces of Asia. The territory has never recovered from its devastations by the Saracens. Ionia was famous for arts, literature, and luxury.