Namazgah in İzmir in Konak, Turkey — West Asia or Southeast Europe

The Dream of Alexander the Great

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 16, 2018

1. The Dream of Alexander the Great Marker

Inscription.
English Text:

Pausanius, a geographer and traveler of the 2nd century A.D., relates that Alexander came to the slopes of Mt Pagos (Kadifekale) to hunt, that he fell asleep under a plane tree by a spring in front of the Temple of Nemesis, and that in his dream he saw the two goddesses Nemesis (the goddesses of divine retribution and revenge), who commanded him to found a city in that spot and move the people there from the former site.

According to the legend the Smyrnaeans asked advice about this command of the goddesses from the famous oracle of Apollo at Claros (present day Ahmetbeyli/Menderes). Apollo answered that "those who live on Pagos (Kadifekale) beyond the Sacred Meles (today's Yesildere stream ?) will be three and four times happier than before." This legend is depicted on very numerous coins of Roman Period Smyrna.

Turkish text:

İ.S. 2. yüzyılda yaşamış coğrafyacı ve gezgin Pausanias, İskender'in avlanmak üzere geldiği Pagos (Kadifekale) Tepesi eteklerinde, Nemesis Tapınağı önündeki bir pınarın başında, çınar ağacının altında uykuya daldığını, rüyasında gördüğü iki Nemesis'in (Tanrısal öç ve adalet Tanrıçaları) ondan burada

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bir kent kurmasını ve halkın buraya göç etmesini istediğini anlatmaktadı r.

Efsaneye göre Tanrıçaların bu isteğini duyan Smyrnalılar bölgenin ünlü kehanet merkezi Apollon Klarios Tapınağı'na (Ahmetbeyli/Menderes) danışı dar. Tanrı Apollon, Smyrnalılara "Kutsal Meles'in (Bugünkü Yeşildere ? ) ötesindeki Pagos tepesinde (Kadifekale) oturacak olanlar eskisine göre üç dört kat mutlu olacaklardır" yanıtını verir. Bu efsane pek çok Roma Dönemi Smyma sikkesi (parası) üzerinde canlandırılmıştır.

Erected by Izmir Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 38° 25.149′ N, 27° 8.295′ E. Marker is in İzmir, in Konak. It is in Namazgah. Marker is on Tarik Sari Sokağı just east of Eşrefpaşa Cd., on the left when traveling east. This marker is situated in the Smyrna archaeological park, which is in a business/residential neighborhood. This particular marker is located in the basement area of the agora's porticoes. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: İzmir 35240, Turkey. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 16, 2018

2. The Dream of Alexander the Great Marker

View of the marker situated next to the spring of water, down in the basement of the agora's porticoes.

within walking distance of this marker. The Basement of the West Portico (here, next to this marker); Water Channels (a few steps from this marker); Honorary Inscription (a few steps from this marker); Neocorus of the Cult of the Emperor at Smyrna (a few steps from this marker); The West Portico (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ancient City of Smyrna (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Ancient City of Smyrna (within shouting distance of this marker); The Agora of Smyrna (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in İzmir.

More about this marker. Note, I was not certain of this marker's exact GPS location, as I was part of a tour and needed to keep moving to try to keep up, so my basement portico locations are all guesstimates.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 16, 2018

3. The Dream of Alexander the Great Marker

View of the marker situated just beyond the spring of water, down in the basement of the agora's porticoes.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 16, 2018

4. The Dream of Alexander the Great Marker

View of visitors to the porticoes looking at the featured marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 401 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 4, 2018, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.