BYZANTIUM (city in Byzantium and the Propontis)
Ancient Greek city, precursor of Constantinople
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Byzantium and the Propontis
- Where
- 41.01° N, 28.98° E
Byzantium is located at the mouth of the Pontus. Strabo 7.6.1 The Strait of Byzantium is also known as the Thracian Bosphorus. Strabo 2.5.23 A bay called the Horn of the Byzantines lies close to the city's walls. Strabo 7.6.2
Described in the sources
Hipparchus believed the latitude of Byzantium was identical to that of Marseilles. Strabo 1.4.4 +3 Byzantium is located at the mouth of the Euxine Sea, marking the end of its left coast. Strabo 1.3.4 +3 The distance from Rhodes to Byzantium is estimated at about 4900 to 5000 stadia. Strabo 2.4.3 +2 Byzantium is located on the western side of the peninsula extending to the Propontis, along a straight sea route leading to it, on the left side when sailing from the Propontis into the Euxine Sea. Strabo 12.3.2 +2 Byzantium is located at the straits that mark the northern boundary of Bithynia. Athenaeus 3.85 +1 Histiaeus and his fleet encamped at this location during their voyage, and he was there when he learned about the events in Miletus. Herodotus 6.26.1 +1 It is described as a free state. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.18 ¶5 It is located 711 miles from Dyrrhachium. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.18 ¶5 The city is situated near the Euxine sea. Athenaeus 12.50 The Strait of Byzantium is four stadia wide. Strabo 2.5.23
Gods and worship
Sailors passing by the location continued to hold it in honor even in the author's time. Diodorus 4.49
Stories and history
The site was considered superior to the location chosen by the Calchedonians. Herodotus 4.144.2 +1 Histiaeus's forces seized Ionian merchant ships leaving the Euxine Sea while stationed at this location. Herodotus 6.26.1 +1 The army crossed over in boats from this location. Herodotus 9.89.4 Otanes captured the city during his tenure as governor. Herodotus 5.26.1 The fleet captured Byzantium after departing from Ionia. Herodotus 6.33.1 The Ionian rebels forced the city to submit to their authority. Herodotus 5.103.2 Antiphanes refers to a specific type of tunny fish as Byzantian. Athenaeus 7.67 Tunnies are only caught after they enter the harbour of Byzantium. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 9.20 ¶1 The city provides a large revenue to the Roman people through fishery. Strabo 7.6.2 Tuna flee towards the Byzantium promontory when they see a white rock. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 9.20 ¶1