AMISUS (city in Pontus and Paphlagonia)
Ancient Greek city, present-day Samsun, Turkey
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Pontus and Paphlagonia
- Where
- 41.29° N, 36.33° E
Mithridates Eupator decorated the city with temples and expanded its area. Strabo 12.3.14 The city is situated beyond the river Halys. Strabo 12.3.25 The city is currently described as being in a prosperous condition. Strabo 12.3.14
Described in the sources
A route heading due east from Amisus leads to Colchis and the Hyrcanian Sea. Strabo 2.1.11 +2 Amisus is located towards the east of Sinope, approximately 900 stadia away. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.2 ¶1 +2 Amisus is a free town in Paphlagonia, located within the fifth zone of the earth. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.2 ¶1 +2 Amisus is located on the same meridian as the Gulf of Issus, in a northerly direction towards the Euxine Sea. Strabo 2.1.3 +1 Amisus is identified as the correct starting point for the line defining the isthmus to Issus, marking the eastern end of the isthmus road. Strabo 14.3.1 +1 Pharnacea is situated eighty miles from Amisus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.4 ¶1 Tyrannion was a native of Amisus and a grammarian. Strabo 12.3.16 Amisus is located near Gadilon and the Saramene region. Strabo 12.3.14 Amisus shares its meridian with the city of Themiscyra. Strabo 2.5.25 Dionysodorus was a native of Amisus and a mathematician. Strabo 12.3.16
Stories and history
Antony handed the city over to the kings of Pontus. Strabo 12.3.14 The city was held by various kings at different times. Strabo 12.3.14 The tyrant Strato oppressed the inhabitants of the city. Strabo 12.3.14 Divus Caesar had previously declared the city to be free. Strabo 12.3.14 Lucullus besieged the city during his military campaigns. Strabo 12.3.14 Theopompus claims a Cappadocian chief later founded the city. Strabo 12.3.14 A colony of Atlenians led by Athenocles later settled in the city. Strabo 12.3.14 Pharnaces besieged the city after arriving from across the Bosporus. Strabo 12.3.14 According to Theopompus, Milesians were the initial founders of the city. Strabo 12.3.14 The inhabitants regained their liberty under Caesar Augustus after Actium. Strabo 12.3.14