Two sites of the ancient city are today within İzmir's boundaries. The first, probably founded by indigenous peoples, rose to prominence during the Archaic Period as one of the principal ancient Greek settlements in western Anatolia. The second, whose foundation is associated with Alexander the Great,Pausanias, Description of Greece, 7.5 reached metropolitan proportions during the period of the Roman Empire. Most of the ancient city's present-day remains date to the Roman era, the majority from after a 2nd-century AD earthquake. In practical terms, a distinction is often made between these. Old Smyrna was the initial settlement founded around the 11th century BC, first as an Aeolian settlement, and later taken over and developed during the Archaic Period by the Ionians. Smyrna proper was the new city to which residents moved as of the 4th century BC and whose foundation was inspired by Alexander the Great.
Two sites of the ancient city are today within İzmir's boundaries The first probably founded by indigenous peoples rose to prominence during the Archaic Period as one of the principal ancient Greek settlements in western Anatolia The second whose foundation is associated with Alexander the GreatPausanias Description of Greece 75 reached metropolitan proportions during the period of the Roman Empire Most of the ancient city's present-day remains date to the Roman era the majority from after a 2nd-century AD earthquake In practical terms a distinction is often made between these Old Smyrna was the initial settlement founded around the 11th century BC first as an Aeolian settlement and later taken over and developed during the Archaic Period by the Ionians Smyrna proper was the new city to which residents moved as of the 4th century BC and whose foundation was inspired by Alexander the Great