Sardis, situated in Salihli – Manisa province, was known as the capital of the Lydia Kingdom was founded in the VIIIth century B.C. and was ruled by the kings: Gyges, Ardys, Sadyattes, Alyattes and Kroisos. The city was conquered by the Persian King Kyros in 546 B.C. and from then continued to function as a Persian garrison. Alexander the Great conquered the city in 334 B.C. and at that time the city becomes Hellenized. The city was then ruled by Syria, Pergamon and by the Romans in turn. Sardis was known by its wealth and as a famous trade centre when it was the capital of Lydia Kingdom.

Owing to the Paktolos who passed nearby the city and who had rich gold mines the wealth of the city became very famous. This city which minted the first coins in history in the VIIth century B.C., was the last stop on the famous King Road which started in Susa. Moreover, the city earned a considerable income from the famous Artemis temple which people from all over the ancient world visited. Archaelogical digs since the 19th century have revealed important works such as the Artemis Temple, gymnasium, stadium, Roman and Byzantine baths.