COLOPHON (city in Ionia)
Ancient city of Ionia, in modern-day Turkey
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Ionia
- People of myth here
- Polypoetes
- Where
- 38.12° N, 27.14° E
Colophon is identified as an Ionian city located near the mountain Gallesius. Strabo 14.1.27 A small island sacred to Artemis is situated near the city. Strabo 14.1.29 The land of Colophon contains a grove of ash-trees dedicated to Apollo. Pausanias 7.5.10
Described in the sources
The river Ales flows through Colophon and is located near the grove of Apollo. Pausanias 7.5.10 +2 Teiresias died in this city and was buried there by Calchas and others. Apollodorus, Epitome 6.2 +1 Nicander of Colophon, a native of this Ionian city, wrote a history about the affairs of this city. Athenaeus 13.25 +1 The grove of Apollo Clarius is situated in front of the city, where an ancient oracle was once located. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.106 ¶6 +1 Ionians departed from Colophon to seize the site of Smyrna, which was established as a colony originating from the city. Herodotus 1.16.2 +1 Colophon is situated in the interior region. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.31 ¶3 Nicander was a native of the city of Colophon. Athenaeus 2.1 Colophon is located within the region of Lydia. Herodotus 1.142.3 The people of Colophon are identified as Ionians. Herodotus 1.147.2 Manto arrived at this city after marrying Rhacius. The Epigoni fr. 3
Gods and worship
Drinking from the pool grants the ability to utter wonderful oracles. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.106 ¶6 Their cavalry was so superior that it decided the outcome of difficult battles. Strabo 14.1.28 The people of Colophon sacrifice a black female puppy to the Wayside Goddess at night. Pausanias 3.14.9
Stories and history
Inhabitants of the city were relocated to the newly founded coastal city of Ephesus by the conquerors. Pausanias 1.9.7 +1 The Ales river in Colophon was described as the coldest river in Ionia and its coldness was praised by elegiac poets. Pausanias 7.5.10 +1 The people of Colophon resisted Lysimachus and the Macedonians during the conflict, and the city was destroyed by Lysimachus during his military campaign in Asia. Pausanias 1.9.7 +1 A pool exists inside the cave of the Clarian Apollo here. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.106 ¶6 The men of Colophon do not observe the feast of Apaturia. Herodotus 1.147.2 Those who drink from the pool have their lives shortened. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.106 ¶6 The place called Mantium belongs to the people of Colophon. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.31 ¶3 Manto wept in this city over the destruction of her homeland. The Epigoni fr. 3 The city dedicated a statue honoring its citizen Hermesianax. Pausanias 6.17.4 Gyges captured the city after leading an army into the region. Herodotus 1.15.1
Myths set at Colophon
- The Burial of Teiresias. Teiresias dies in Colophon and is buried by three men. He had previously ordered the sacrifices Odysseus performed upon returning to Ithaca. The Returns fr. 1 +1 Tiresias
- The Burial of Teiresias. Calchas travels to Colophon to help bury the dead Teiresias. He joins a group of warriors who rise to fight. The Returns fr. 1 +1 Calchas