APOLLONIA (city in Illyrian coast)
Ancient city in modern Albania
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Illyrian coast
- Patron
- Apollo
- Landmarks
- Nymphæum Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.26 ¶2
- Where
- 40.72° N, 19.47° E
The city was established by settlers from Corinth and Corcyra. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.26 ¶2 The city is located on the banks of the rivers Apsus and Aous. Strabo 7.5.8 A flock sacred to the Sun is located at Apollonia. Herodotus 9.93.1
Described in the sources
Apollonia is situated near a third lake and on the river Rhyndacus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.32 ¶1 +2 Apollonia is situated on the Ionian Gulf. Herodotus 9.92.2 +1 The coastal area near Apollonia, known as Thynias, belongs to the people of Apollonia. Strabo 12.3.3 +1 Apollonia is a coastal city situated ten stadia from the river and sixty stadia from the sea. Strabo 7.5.8 +1 The city is located on the Ionian Sea. Pausanias 5.22.3 The city is situated 1300 stadia from Callatis. Strabo 7.6.1 The city is located next to Bylliace and Oricum. Strabo 7.5.8 Apollonia is located on the coast near Epidamnus. Strabo 7.7.4 Apollonia was a neighbor to the city of Thronium. Pausanias 5.22.4 The city is also referred to by the name Mordius. Athenaeus 3.20
Stories and history
The city possesses a type of liquid bitumen. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.51 ¶1 The city of Apollonia was destroyed by Philip. Strabo 7.fragments.35 The city is described as being governed by excellent laws. Strabo 7.5.8 The city's people captured the territory known as Abantis. Pausanias 5.22.3 The inhabitants of this Apollonia have the surname Macrobii. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.17 ¶3 The city's residents erected images using a tithe from Thronium. Pausanias 5.22.3 People from Apollonia sat with Evenius to discuss his misfortune. Herodotus 9.94.1 The city produces a specific variety of apple known as Mordianian. Athenaeus 3.20 The city's inhabitants dedicated statues to Zeus at this location. Pausanias 5.22.3 The citizens of Apollonia kept a specific oracle secret from others. Herodotus 9.94.1