Terracottas from Smyrna

Smyrna was relocated to the slopes of Mount Pagos (Kadifekale) in the 4th century B.C. and became one of the most important figurine production centres in Western Anatolia since the Hellenistic Period. Many figurines originating from Smyrna are found and exhibited in many big museums all over the world but these figurines in these museums' collections are not acquired through scientific works and exact finding spots of many of them are unknown. This led to an origin problem for Smyrna figurines except for a few groups with detailed records. Figurines found during excavations in the city beginning in 1930 and conducted at certain intervals are important because for these figurines we can say for sure that they have originated from the Ancient City of Smyrna. Figurines found during excavations allow us to evaluate studies done on other figurines with uncertain origins and give us new information about the subject on hand. Technical, typological and stylistic criteria have been defined through studies conducted on Smyrna figurines since the end of the 19th century. In the light of this study previous work on Smyrna figurines has been examined and the results of these studies have been revaluated according to the new excavations conducted in the city and new findings. Through this; clearer technical, stylistic and typological criteria have been redefined. Furthermore detailed iconographic study has been conducted on Smyrna figurines, results evaluated according to the known cults in the city and social life during antiquity to determine the place of figurines in religious, political, cultural and social life in Ancient Smyrna. Keywords: Smyrna, figurine, terracotta, iconography, relief vases, terracotta altars.