Clazomenae

Ancient city in Ionia, on the east coast of the Aegean Sea, one of the 12 leading cities which formed the Ionian League. It was the birthplace of the philosopher Anaxagoras, and painted terracotta sarcophagi (coffins) have been found.

The site of Clazomenae, on the Gulf of Smyrna (now Izmir), was originally on a narrow isthmus connecting the mainland with the peninsula of Erythrae. In the 6th century BC, when the Persians began to encroach on Ionian territory, the inhabitants moved their city to an island in the bay. Alexander the Great built a pier to the mainland, and the remains are still visible.