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Priene was discovered by the inhabitants on the Ionian coast. The Ionians first arrived and settled here in the 11th century B.C. and the city was founded either by Aegyptus of Athens, Philotas of Thebes or Amazon queens (like Pitane, Myrina, Kyme and Ephesus.
It was situated on a peninsula close to Miletus and that it had two ports. No concrete evidince could have been determined the site of this first city. The only piece found is the electurum coin discovered in Clazomenae.
This coin which can be dated back to 500 BC, had a head of Athena on it is an evidence that Priene was attached to the Ionian League.
Priene was captured and came under the Lydian rules at the end of the 7th century BC. Bias, one of the “seven sages” was born in Priene and he put into order the law of his city. So Priene had the most prosperous era in the 6th century.
The brilliant era ended when Persian King Cyrus attacked the city in 545 BC. The city was burnt down completely and people were enslaved.
A difficult period stated for Priene and in 494 BC Priene participated in the Ionian revolt by joining the Battle of Lade with 12 ships against the Persians. However the city is sacked again as a result of the Persians completely destroyed the Ionaian fleet. But it didn’t take too long; Athens and Spartans attacked and burnt the whole Persian fleet in 479 BC. Following upon this battle and victory the “Attic - Delian Sea League” was established immediately.
The Samos – Priene war was ended with joining of Priene. Up to the mid 4th century, the city is thought that under the influence of Athens.
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