Our Greek Asia Minor is divided into six poleis: Byzantium, Ephesus, Halicarnassus, Miletus, Pergamum, and Troy. From the main page, you can view the webring and learn a little more about some of the people who have built residences here.

Byzantium was an important city for the Greeks. Its position offered control over the shipping that passed through the Bosporus and thus over trade with the communities around the Black Sea. It was especialy vital to Athens, which imported most of its grain from the northern coast of the Black Sea. It faded in importance after the Romans became a permanent presence in the eastern Mediterranean. But in the fourth century AD, the emperor Constantine transferred the capital of the empire to Byzantium. He would rename the city Nova Roma, but it would be known for centuries as Constantinopolis, the city of Constantine.

Our virtual Byzantium is, alas, in a poor state. There are no districts in which to build. On the positive side, there is excellent information about historical Byzantium, as well as links to the group Byzantium, one of the more active groups which offers both history and role play, and to the open Byzantium discussion thread at Hellas.

The ancient city of Ephesus was one of the most important in Asia Minor in ancient times. A busy port city, a crossroads between east and west, it also was home to one of the seven wonders of the world: the great temple of Artemis. Under the Romans, it was the capital of their province of Asia.

In our virtual Ephesus, you can take Senex Caecilius’ excellent tour of the ruins of the city, or take a tour of the Artemision. You can also visit the temple threads to party or to learn more about it.

The Agora district of Ephesus is home to several people.

Artemidorus Hippon has an oikidion here.

Helena Caesar also has an oikdion.

Kalypso Glaucon has a vacation home here.

Ephesus is also home to one of Lucius Cornelius Flavius’s several trading posts, Mercator Flavii of Ephesus. This trading house offers an overview of the Flavii shipping routes and links to all the other trading posts in the network.

Lorelei Aristophanes has a family home here.

Diana Aristotle also keeps her Hidden Valley Villa here.

Norvegicus Lupus has built the Oikidion Artemision here. Drop by and sign his guest book.

The hills of Ephesus are filled with caves which have been the homes of many holy places over the centuries. Perhaps the most famous of these is the cave of the Seven Sleepers, Christians who fled persecution under the reign of Decius and awoke again many years later under Theodosius.

Scribe Kallistos Alexandros has sponsored the Cave of the Lepers. Enter if you dare, but beware for the lepers are mad and hungry.

Halicarnassus lay on an excellent harbor on the southwestern coast of Asia Minor. It was a major port and home to many famous people. In the Hellenistic era, it became the capital of Caria. It was also the location of a number of notable sites, most especially the tomb of Mausolus, one of the seven wonders of the world.

Our digital Halicarnassus offers an extensive overview of the city’s history and brief descriptions of many of the sights and famous residents. The city is divided into four districts: the Harbor district, Mausoleion, Salmacis, and Zephyrion.

The Harbor district of Halicarnassus lies between the former Greek and Carian districts of the city. Before Mausolus rebuilt the city, this is where the two peoples would meet to do business. It is a bustling harbor.

Dusty Pacal has built a Little Hut here.

Mausoleion is a fictional name given to the city built by Mausolus. Among the sights that one might see in this district are the Mausoleum, the temple of Ares, and the theater. As yet, no one has built here.

Salmacis, in the western end of the city, is home to the native Carian populace. According to Ovid, the nymph Salmacis had a fountain here. When she saw Hermaphroditus, the son of Hermes and Aphrodite, she fell in love, but he rejected him. The gods heard her plea and merged the two of them into a single being, both male and female. You can read Ovid’s version of the tale here.

Scriba Emerita Beauty Solon has her Reclusive Secret Oikos here. If you dare, you can visit her treausre room and learn a great deal about sea glass. But beware, she may lure you to the fountain and take you captive.

Demigoddess Julilla Sempronius offers us the Fountain of Salmacis, where you can watch Genesis perform there song of the same name.

Zephyrion is the Greek district of Halicarnassus. The first Greek settlers established an outpost on a small island in the harbor. Later, they connected the island to the mainland by a causeway. There was a temple of Apollo here and this is where Mausolus built his palace.

Scribe Kallisto Alexandros has built his Zephyrion Palace here and incorporated a lighthouse into its structure. You can view the exterior and learn about the difficulties in its construction.

Callia Callias has built a Summer Palace.

Ancient Miletus was settled by Minoans and fortified by Mycenaeans. It is the only Ionian city mentioned by Homer and is also mentioned in Hittite documents. During the colonization waves in the Archaic era, Miletus founded more than 90, mostly around the Black Sea. It was also the home to many of the most famous pre-Socratic philosophers, such as Thales, Anaximenes, Anaximander & Hecataeus.

Miletus is divided into two districts: the Agora district and the Harbor district. You can also take a tour of Miletus.

As of yet, the Agora district of Miletus is undeveloped. No one has built there.

The harbor district of Miletus is also relatively undeveloped. Pallas Anaxares Theognis has built the Anaktigonoika as a refuge for the descendants of King Asterius, the son of Anax.

Pergamum became an important city in the Hellenistic era. It was here that parchment was invented and the city was home to the second most famous library in the ancient world after Alexandria. It was also the birthplace of the famous doctor Galen.

Pergamum has only one district, the Asclepion. You can also pay a visit to the Greek library from here.

The Asclepion is the temple of Asclepius, the god of healing. Many people came here from all over the ancient world to ask the god for help. This is also where Galen received his early training.

Calypso Lysias has a small Health Spa here.

Lucius Cornelius Flavius maintains one of his many trading posts, Mercator Flavii of the Asclepion here.

Troy, the city of Priam, Hector, and Helen. Cassandra warns of impending doom, but none pay her heed. There is much to do in Troy. You can take a tour or view reconstructions of many of the levels of the city. You can also take a quiz on the love stories of the Trojan War. Troy has a single district, the Palace district.

Several people have made homes in the Palace district of Troy.

Hecuba Hector has built a Royal Hut, where you can leave a message for the queen.

Lysippe Eurimedon has an oikidion.

Lysistratos Solon has a fire-proof house. A not unreasonable precaution.

Ward Theognis keeps the mysterious Kairos Megiste, a temple to Chronos situated above a large cave. You can learn about shadow people and other myserious things.

Livia Pericles has added Livia’s Gift Shop to the Palace district.