Herodotus tells a story of the city and its territory, both of which were named Atarneus, being given to the Chians by Cyrus the Great, for their having surrendered to him Pactyes the Lydian.

[5] Stephanus[6] and other ancient authorities consider Atarneus to be the Tarne written of in the Iliad by Homer;[7] but perhaps incorrectly.

[8] The place was occupied at a later time by some exiles from Chios, who from this strong position sallied out and plundered Ionia.

[12] They left the place, however, if his statement is true; and Pliny the Elder, in his time, mentions Atarneus as no longer a city.

After the death of his father, Aristotle was cared for and educated by Proxenus of Atarneus, possibly an uncle of his.