Sardis

The ancient city of Sardis, which was known as the capital of the Kingdom of Lydia, is situated near the present day village of Sart in the province of Manisa. The remains are located on either side of the Ankara-Izmir highway 85 kilometres east of the major city of Izmir.

The ancient city was established in the 8th century BC on top of a 1500 foot high hill which projected from the northern side of Mt. Timolus.

The sides of this hill were smooth, perpendicular rock which provided a natural citadel and it was difficult to reach apart from a narrow passage, easily defended from above. The people began to build at the foot of the hill. Thus the ancient city of Sardis was divided into two separate parts, the Ancient to the north overlooking the Hermus River plain, and the Modern to the south.

In 547 BC, the Persian King Kyros conquered the city and Sardis became a major stronghold of the western empire and the political capital of Asia Minor. At that