BLACK SEA (sea)
Sea between Europe and Asia
- Kind of place
- Sea
- Where
- 43.41° N, 34.26° E
Some compare the sea's shape to a bent Scythian bow, with the southern coast likened to the straight string and the northern coast to the curved wood. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.24 ¶2 It was called Pontus Axenus because of severe storms and savage inhabitants. Strabo 7.3.6 part 1 It was regarded as the largest of the known seas. Strabo 1.2.10
Described in the sources
The Ister empties into the Euxine at Istria, opposite Sinope, and its course divides just above its mouths. Herodotus 2.33.4 +3 Dioscurias is located in a narrow recess at the most easterly point of the Euxine Sea, marking the extreme boundary of navigation. Strabo 1.3.2 +3 The Ister river flows into the Euxine sea. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.24 ¶4 +2 The Euxine is connected to the Lake Maeotis via the Cimmerian Bosphorus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.24 ¶2 +2 The promontory Carambis and the opposite Criumetopon divide the Euxine into two seas. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.26 ¶3 +2 The Black Sea forms the northern boundary of Cappadocia up to the mouth of the Halys river. Strabo 11.14.15 +2 The mouth of the Black Sea is located near the city of Byzantium, which is on the left side when entering the sea. Strabo 12.3.2 +2 The Euxine Sea is separated from the Caspian Sea by a narrow isthmus, which begins at Dioscurias and features a recess at its narrowest point. Strabo 1.4.7 +2 The river Halys empties into the Euxine Sea. Herodotus 1.6.1 +1 The sea was formerly known by the name Axenus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.24 ¶2 +1
Gods and worship
The island of Chalceritis was consecrated to Mars by the Greeks. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.13 ¶1
Stories and history
Rivers flowing into the Euxine from the north and east deposited sediment that filled it with mud and could have made it shallower. Strabo 1.3.4 +1 The Euxine Sea is noted for its remarkable sweetness. Strabo 1.3.4 Xerxes built a bridge of boats across the Hellespont. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.24 ¶1 Darius led his army into the lands bordering this sea. Herodotus 4.46.1 The sea expanded by swallowing land beyond the Bosporus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.1 ¶1 Varro calculates the European shore length as 1337 miles. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.24 ¶2 Alexander the Great passed over at Priapus, a city of Asia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.24 ¶1 Patrocles believes this sea is equal in size to the Euxine. Strabo 11.7.1 The scomber appears in the Euxine before other fish species. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 9.19 ¶1 The tide in this sea is always running out and never ebbing. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.27 ¶2