BATL052
BATL052
BATL052
Introduction
Map 52 Byzantium
Map 53 Bosphorus
Map 52 encompasses two very different regions, Thrace and Bithynia, together with the northern coast of
Mysia. Thrace, now European Turkey, is open, rolling country with few prominent features. In classical times, its
population was mainly tribal, and it never had any great density of settlement. It has also attracted relatively little
research and remains largely unknown, not least because considerable areas have been military zones. The coast of
the Propontis, however, was the home of Greek colonies whose names are already attested in the Athenian tribute
lists of the fifth century B.C. It also became the site of the greatest city of the East, Constantinople, which dwarfed all
the others in Late Antiquity (see below).
Bithynia is entirely different. Its coastal regions, with the lakes behind them, are part of the Mediterranean
zone. Throughout antiquity, the rich vegetation here supported dense settlement and continuous occupation. Behind,
there is broken country with mountains that culminate in the Mysian Olympus; the eastern part is watered by the
mighty R. Sangarius. Interior Bithynia was settled only in the Hellenistic period; it flourished in Roman times, when
Nicomedia amd Nicaea were rival metropolitan centers. The regions of these two cities have been illuminated by the
explorations and publications of Dörner and Şahin, and a broad district around Cyzicus by Hasluck. Much of the rest
awaits systematic survey.
Map 53 focuses on the area of transition between the extremities of these two regions, centered on the long
narrow channel of the Thracian Bosphorus. This passage of 17 miles, varying from one-third to two miles in width,
separates Europe and Asia, and connects the Black Sea with the Propontis. Since archaic times, its primary role has
been one of transit–between two continents as well as between two bodies of water.
The Bosphorus is lined with wooded hills, some of which drop precipitously into the channel. Its shoreline is
highly indented, with frequent bays, harbors, and the mouths of several small rivers which rise not far away.
Because of its strategic location, the agricultural wealth of its hinterland, and the easy availability of fish, the area has
always supported a large number of settlements, which increased constantly in the period covered here, in particular
after the transformation of Byzantium into Constantinople in the fourth century A.D.
The topography of the Bosphorus is extraordinarily well known, thanks to one of the most remarkable and
detailed of ancient geographic texts. The Anaplous tou Bosporou, written by Dionysius of Byzantium in the second
century A.D., records a great number of ports and landmarks along the entire coastline. Except on the Golden Horn,
many of these can be located. Unfortunately, the text has a large lacuna, which can be at least approximately filled
by the Latin translation (or paraphrase) of Peter Gyllius, made in the sixteenth century. The Latin text only was
published by Carl Müller in GGM II with introduction and full commentary. The best critical edition of the Greek
and Latin text, however, is now that of Güngerich (1927). The topography is most conveniently analyzed by
E. Oberhümmer in RE Bosporos 1 and RE Keras. Most of his identifications are adopted on the map.
Attention should be drawn to one passage of Dionysius which is more than usually confusing. After describing
the entire right bank of the Golden Horn, he reaches Semystra at the junction of the two rivers Kydaros and
Barbyses. He then continues (Güngerich, p. 13): “A tergo Semystrae, paulo supra fluminum ostia initium
circumflexus in alterum latus sinus Ceratini efficit promontorium Drepanum inflexum ... loca nuncupata Mandrae et
Drys; ille quidem a loco quieto et tecto, mari enim tranquillo alluitur ... post promontorium est longus sinus Auleon
appellatus.” Commentators, misled by the Latin translation, have taken this passage to refer to places on the
R. Barbyses (“a tergo” from Semystra). The Greek text, however, which merely states that they are κατόπιν, “after”
Semystra, shows that the left bank of the Horn is being described, from the junction of the rivers, around the large
786 MAP 52 BYZANTIUM
bend of Sütlüce, where the stream changes direction, and then continuing south-east. On this reading, the text suits
the topography better, as well as accommodating the “mari tranquillo,” which could hardly refer to the course of the
river. Otherwise, Dionysius seems to be wandering up-river, but then returns suddenly to a point on the Horn far
below Semystra. Drepanon Pr. may therefore be identified with Sütlüce, Boukolos Collis is its highest point, and
Auleon Sinus is the small gulf at Hasköy. The intervening places remain unidentifiable.
For Constantinople and its environs (including the Bosphorus), the most significant modern studies are Janin
(1964) and Eyice (1976); the latter devotes greater attention to physical remains. The most recent, and often novel,
views are those of Mango (1985).
Directory
All place names are in Turkey
Abbreviations
Names
B4 Halone R Paşalimanı RE 1
MAP 52 BYZANTIUM 789
Iulia Concordia =
Brylleion
Iustiniani Pons See Bridges
A2 ‘Narco’ L E Bergule RE
E3 ‘Nassete’ See Map 53
A3 Neapolis/ CHR Erikli ATL 1, 525
Herakleia
B2 Neon Teichos C Servili? ATL 1, 482
F3 *Nerola R Karakadılar TAM 4.1.87
Nicaea = Helikore
F3 Nicomedia HRL İzmit RE Nikomedeia
Nova Theodosiopolis =
Aproi
Phileatine L. = Delkos L.
D2 Philia Pr. Kara Burun RE Phileas 1
D2 Philia HRL Kara Burun RE Phileas 1
§ Phileas
B4 Phrygia CHR S Propontis RE 1
F4 Phrygia Epiktetos HR SE Nicaea RE 1, cols. 801-802
G4 Pithekas? fl. Karasu INik II.1, 34-35
Pityodes Ins. = Megale
Ins.
C4 Plakia CHR Kurşunlu? RE 2
F4 *Ploketta R Orta Pinarlar INik II.1, 21
B4 Poimanenon RL near Alexa Hasluck 1909, 122
E1 Pontus Euxinus See Map 1
D3 Poseideion/ HR Bozburun RE Poseidion 3
Triton Pr.
E3 Potamoi RL E Pendik Tomaschek 1891, 5
F3 Prainetos RL Karamürsel RE Preietos 1
§ Preietos
E3 *Pratomysia R Gacık Corsten 1991, 81-87
F3 *Prepa R Ekşioğlu TAM 4.1.231
A4 Priapus CHRL Karabiğa RE Suppl. 14 Priapos 3
G3 *Prindea R Hamidiye? TAM 4.1.23
Prinkipos Ins. = Megale
Ins.
B3 Proconnesus ACHRL Marmara RE Suppl. 14 Prokonnesos
B3 Proconnesus Ins. ACHRL Marmara Adası RE Suppl. 14 Prokonnesos
F4 *Pronnaea R Ahmetler? INik II.2.1503, 1551
C3 Propontis CHRL Marmara Denizi KlPauly
E3 Prota Ins. See Map 53
G4 ‘Protunica’ L Sarihocalar INik II.1, 15-16
E4 Prusa RL Bursa RE Prusa ad Olympum
E4 Prusias ad Mare/ CHR/ Gemlik RE Kios 1
Kios ACHRL
F3 *Psarela R Yağcılar? TAM 4.1.51
F2 Psillion HRL Ağva RE Suppl. 9 Psillion 2
F2 Psil(l)is fl. HRL Göksu RE Suppl. 9 Psilis
E3 Pylai L Yalova Foss 1997
E3 Pytheion/ R/ Yalova Kap. IK 32, 140-43
Pythia Therma L Robert 1979, 276
E4 Pythopolis C near M. Sölöz INik II.3, 137-40 (T63)
Rhaidestos = Bisanthe
E2 Rhebas See Map 53
E2 Rhebas fl. See Map 53
F4 Rhebas fl. HR Gökçesu INik II.3, 140-41 (T64)
D3 Rhegion L Kücükcekmece RE ‛Ρήγιον
A4 Rhesos fl. ACHRL Karaatli Çay RE ‛Ρῆσος 4
D3 Rhodussae Inss. See Map 53
G2 Rhoe RL Kefken RE ‛Ρόη
C4 Rhyndakos fl. RL Orhaneli / Koca Dere RE ‛Ρύνδακος 1; TIB Phrygien 368
E3 Rouphinianai/ See Map 53
Drys
Aqueducts
Bridges
Quarries
Roads
Wall
Unlocated Toponyms
Phinopolis HRL RE
Bibliography