ABYDOS (city in Troad)
Ancient city of Mysia in modern-day Turkey
Homer refers to this location by the name Amydon. Strabo 7.fragments.20 Xerxes connected the shores of the local strait with a bridge. Strabo 13.1.22 The distance from Abydos to the opposite shore is seven stadia. Herodotus 7.34.1
Described in the sources
Abydos is located on the coast of the Propontis, near Sestos and Lampsacus, and opposite the Zeugma at the entrance to the Hellespont. Athenaeus 12.28 +4 Ephorus marks Abydos as the starting point of the region of Aeolis. Strabo 13.1.39 +1 Abydos is located next to the city of Dardanus, which is situated seventy stadia away. Herodotus 7.43.2 +1 Abydos is located on the Asian side of the narrow strait separating Europe and Asia, which is seven stadia long. Strabo 2.5.22 +1 The river Practius flows between the city of Abydos and Lampsacus, which is located approximately 170 stadia away. Strabo 13.1.18 +1 Abydos is located beyond the regions surrounding Ilium and the Trojan plain, and is somewhat nearer to the plain of Thebe than Ilium is. Strabo 13.1.24 +1 During Xerxes' campaign, the shores and plains of this location were crowded with men, and the Persian king and his army were transported from the Chersonese to this location. Herodotus 7.45.1 +1 Medontis, a courtesan, was from this city. Athenaeus 13.34 Abydos was inhabited during the Trojan times. Strabo 13.1.20 Abydus is located below the town of Tentyris. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.11 ¶1
Gods and worship
The stone in the Gymnasium of Abydos is held in veneration by the people there. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.59 ¶1
Stories and history
The Milesians founded the city, establishing a colony there around the same time they established Priapus. Strabo 13.1.12 +1 Some Memnonia are said to exist in Abydos. Strabo 17.1.42 The Argeadae razed the city to the ground. Strabo 7.fragments.20 Daurises captured the city in a single day. Herodotus 5.117.1 The palace of Memnon is situated in Abydos. Strabo 17.1.42 A naval race took place in the waters near the city. Herodotus 7.44.1 The king sat on the hill to observe his army and fleet. Herodotus 7.44.1 The people of Abydos currently own the ruined city of Astyra. Strabo 13.1.23 Some kings moved the inhabitants of Dardanus to this location. Strabo 13.1.28 Priam's wealth is said to have come from the gold mines near Abydos. Strabo 14.5.28
Myths set at Abydos
- The Battle of the Trojans and Greeks. Asius, the King of Arisbe and brother of Hecuba, rules the Trojans near the Caÿster river. He leads one of the two main bodies of Trojans in the battle against the Greeks. Iliad 12 ¶5 +5 Asius