Assos

Assos (Behramkale) is a small, historically rich town in the Canakkale Province, Turkey. It is situated on the shores of the Aegean Sea. Assos was founded circa 1000-900 BC by Aeolian colonists from the island of Lesbos. The settlers built a Doric Temple to Athena on top of the cliff circa 530 BC. From this temple, King Hermias ruled Assos, under whose ruling the city experienced its greatest prosperity. Assos became the home of Greek philosophers such as Aristotle who arrived there circa 348 BC. Assos then experienced its Golden Era. Several years later it was captured by the Persians. Later, they were driven out by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. Between 241-133 BC, the city was ruled by the Kings of Pergamon. Circa 133 BC, the Pergamon Kingdom lost control of the city in favour of the Roman Empire. St. Paul the Apostle visited the city during his third missionary journey through Asia Minor (circa 53-57 AD). From this time on, Assos shrunk into a small village. Some important archaeological monuments were excavated in Assos in the passing years.