SkepsisIt is an ancient Aeolian settlement located 10 km east of the town center, west of Kurşunlu village, and in the valley of Skamandros. (Ancient Menderes River)
I delved into the details about the city because it was once a highly significant settlement, and I was particularly interested in the section related to the buried books of Aristotle.
The ancient city was initially established near the village of Evciler, located approximately 18 km southeast of the Bayramiç district, and later it was moved to its current location, which is the village of Kurşunlu, situated 10 km to the east.
The city is distant from the sea. However, it descends towards the Skamandrios valley in terraces on the fertile land irrigated by the Skamandros (formerly known as Menderes) river.
The city was built on a height that allows it to be seen from all directions. The beautiful view from its founding location influenced the naming of the city. The word "Skepsis" in Ancient Greek means "beautiful view."
Furthermore, the city's establishment in this location was influenced by the presence of fertile agricultural lands surrounding it and the riches of Mount Ida, located in the foothills of the city. Thus, Skepsis city became closely associated with Mount Ida, which is one of the most significant symbols in Greek mythology. When referring to Mount Ida and the inner region of Troy, the first city that comes to mind is Skepsis.
Regarding the city's establishment, historical sources mention that two lineages descending from King Priam of Troy ruled initially, and later the city was governed by an oligarchy.
The two mentioned lineages are descendants of Aeneas and Hector, specifically the sons of Aeneas and Skamandrios. Strabo states that those descended from Aeneas and Hector held power for a long time.
In Homer's epic poem "Iliad," which was composed in the late 8th century BC and provides significant information about the Trojan region, Skepsis city is not mentioned by name. However, detailed descriptions are given about the slopes of Mount Ida. Important information about Skepsis city was provided by renowned historians Xenophon, who lived between the late 5th century BC and the early 4th century BC, and Strabo, a famous geographer who lived in the 1st century BC.
During the 460s BC, the inner regions of Troy were under Persian rule.
Under Persian rule, the city is governed by a ruler named Mania.
Mania is a queen who demonstrates successful governance until she is murdered by her son-in-law in 399 BC. The city achieves a significant level of prosperity during Mania's reign. Meidias succeeds her. The people are dissatisfied with Meidias' rule and seek help from the Spartans, who end Meidias' reign. During this period, magnificent defense walls surround the city.
At this point, it is worth mentioning a legend. While Aristotle was traveling in the Aegean region to spread his teachings, one of his students was Theophrastos.
Aristotle bequeathed his school and books to him, and this student lives in a prosperous city at the foot of Mount Ida. However, this prosperous city gradually falls under the threat of war and plunder, leading Theophrastos to bury his books in this city.
Therefore, the place where Theophrastos hid the books, before the Library of Pergamon and the Library of Alexandria, is Skepsis city. Thus, Aristotle's teachings, which have survived to this day, have been disseminated and contributed to the history of humanity through the books found and preserved in the ancient city of Skepsis.
In the 4th century BC, under the rule of Derkylidas, the city was no longer under Persian rule and was governed by democracy. This change occurred because in 334 BC, Alexander the Great entered Anatolia and defeated the Persians in the Battle of Granicus in the Trojan region.
During this period, Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great's generals, resettles the people of Skepsis and the surrounding cities in the previously established city named "Antigonia" to enhance its importance. Later, the name of the city is changed to "Alexandria Troas."
However, the people of Skepsis are not happy with this merger, and after a while, they obtain permission from Lysimakhos and return to their cities in 301 BC.
In the 2nd century BC, the city came under the rule of Pergamon and continued to exist as an important center during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
During the Roman period, it was among the cities that could mint independent coins. The presence of the symbol of the fir tree on the coins minted in Skepsis indicates the importance of forestry among the sources of livelihood in the city. Mount Ida, which is rich in pine and fir trees, has been an important resource in many cities in the Trojan region. The Skamander River was used for timber transportation.
In the Byzantine period, it became a bishopric center. In the Council of Ephesus convened in 431 AD, Bishop Athanasion represented Skepsis.
The absence of a bishop representing Skepsis in the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 AD indicates that the city had lost its importance by that time.
In the 1800s, an influential family called Hamidoğulları carried out many constructions in the town of Bayramiç and used the ancient stone blocks of Skepsis in these constructions. They were particularly used in large quantities as recycled materials in the construction of the Konak Mosque.
During this period, Hadımoğlu Osman Ağa promised one para (a unit of currency) to the villagers for each stone cube they would bring, and the villagers brought the found cubes to Osman Ağa by dismantling them, leading to the construction of the mansion. If you visit Hadımoğlu Mansion in the center of the district today, you can see these precious cubes.
When Schliemann (the person who discovered and looted the city of Troy) came here in 1881, he came across some remains in Kurşunlu village during his excavations, including wall remnants similar to those of Assos and the remains of a building measuring 3 x 1.80 meters.
Due to the fact that the lower city and necropolis of Skepsis would be submerged under the waters of the Bayramiç Dam, a rescue excavation was carried out in 1993. A bathhouse, tombstones, and various architectural fragments were unearthed.
According to written sources, the city's surroundings are surrounded by high walls and there is an Athena Temple.
The architectural structures of this ancient city have completely disappeared. However, if you still go to Kurşunlu village, you can see many remains. Although no official archaeological research has been conducted on the ancient city ruins, rescue excavations were carried out when the decision to build a dam was made in Bayramiç in 1989, and some of the remains were uncovered.
Despite the rescue excavations carried out between 1993 and 1995, the lower city and necropolis area of Skepsis could not escape being submerged. However, although this magnificent ancient city has somewhat survived the risk of being underwater due to the dam, it is currently under threat from a mining company.
In conclusion, a mining exploration permit has been granted to a mining company in an area of 600 acres in Kurşunlu village, connected to the town center.
I delved into the details about the city because it was once a highly significant settlement, and I was particularly interested in the section related to the buried books of Aristotle.
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