Exquisite 1840s Steel Engraving - Antique Print -

Title: SMYRNA

Artist: N/A - Engraver: N/A

Published: Philadelphia, North American Biblical Institute

Turkish Geography: Izmir, formerly Smyrna , city capital of Izmir province, Western Turkey, on the Gulf of Izmir, an arm of the Aegean Sea. The largest Turkish seaport after Istanbul, its exports include cotton, tobacco, vegetables, manufactures, and carpets. It is also an important commercial and industrial center, whose manufactures include processed food, textiles, tobacco, cement, petrochemicals, and manufactured goods. Tourism is increasingly important. It is a road and rail transportation center, and an annual trade fair is held there. Izmir prov. is rich in mineral resources. The city was settled during the Bronze Age. It was colonized by Ionians and was destroyed by the Lydians. It was rebuilt on a different site in the early 4th century BC by Antigonus I, was enlarged and beautified by Lysimachus, and became one of the largest and most prosperous cities of Asia Minor. Its wealth and splendor increased under Roman rule. The city had a sizable Jewish colony, was an early center of Christianity, and was one of the Seven Churches in Asia. It was pillaged by the Arabs in the 7th century, fell to the Seljuk Turks in the 11th cent., was recaptured for Byzantium by Emperor Alexius I during the First Crusade, and formed part of the empire of Nicaea from 1204 to 1261, when the Byzantine Empire was restored. Also in 1261 the Genoese obtained trading privileges there, which they retained until the city fell to the Seljuk Turks. The Knights Hospitalers captured the city in 1344, restored Genoese privileges, and held the city until 1402, when it was captured and sacked by Timur. The Mongols were succeeded in 1424 by the Ottoman Turks. A Greek Orthodox archiepiscopal see, the city retained a large Greek population and remained a center of Greek culture and the chief Mediterranean port of Asia Minor. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, the city was occupied by Greek forces. The Treaty of Sèvres assigned Izmir and its hinterland to temporary Greek administration, but fighting soon erupted between Greek and Turkish forces. Izmir fell to the Turks in Sept., 1922, and a few days later was destroyed by fire. Thousands of Greek civilian refugees fled from the city. The Treaty of Lausanne restored Izmir to Turkey. A separate convention between Greece and Turkey provided for the exchange of their minorities, which was carried out under League of Nations supervision. Thus the population of Izmir became predominately Turkish. The city suffered greatly from severe earthquakes in 1928 and 1939. It is a NATO command center for SE Europe. It is also the site of the Aegean Univ. and several museums, and was probably the birthplace of the poet Homer.

Approximate Image Size: 4 X 6 inches

Approximate Overall Size With Margins: 7 1/2 X 11 inches

CONDITION: Very Good Condition. Watermark is not on the actual print. Image is sharp, clean, clear and in Very Good Condition. Blank on Reverse side. Done in the right matte and frame, this print would look exquisite. An art supply store can provide you with a selection of frames for old art treasures.

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