Ancient City Magnesia on the Maeander-Gymnasium

The ancient city of Magnesia on the Meander, according to legend, was founded by Magnetes from Thessaly before the Trojan War. It was ruled by various empires and peoples, including the Lydians, Cimmerians, Ephesians, and Persians. Themistocles is also said to have resided here. After its destruction in 400/399 BC, it was rebuilt. Under Alexander the Great, Magnesia became Macedonian and experienced a cultural flourishing in the 2nd century BC under the Kingdom of Pergamon. After a war with Miletus, peace was concluded in 196 BC, and after 190 BC, the city gained its freedom under Roman rule. In 133 BC, Magnesia was bequeathed to the Roman Empire and received the status of a free city from Sulla as a reward for resisting King Mithridates VI. After an earthquake in 17 AD, the city was rebuilt by Emperor Tiberius.