CYME (city in Mysia and Aeolis)
Ancient city of Ionia, in modern-day Turkey
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Mysia and Aeolis
- Where
- 38.76° N, 26.94° E
Cyme is identified as one of the ancient Aeolian cities, described as the largest and best among them. Herodotus 1.149.1 Cyme is located near the Caicus river. Strabo 13.3.5 The Amazons are said to have founded the city and named it after themselves. Strabo 11.5.4
Described in the sources
Cyme is an ancient city in the region of Aeolia, situated near the foothills of the mountain Sardene and near Phocaea where Ionia begins. Hesiod's Works and Days ll. 618-640 +3 The city is known by the name Cyme Phriconis, named after the Locrian mountain Phricius. Herodotus 1.149.1 +2 The city's name is derived from an Amazon of the same name who held an important command. Diodorus 3.55 +2 The river Hermus flows beside the district of Cyme, and the region around the city extends to this river. Homer's Epigrams +2 Cyme is listed among eleven ancient Aeolian settlements and is identified by Ephorus as the southern boundary where Aeolis terminates. Herodotus 1.149.1 +2 A place named Larisa is located near Cyme, approximately 1000 stadia from Ilium, and its existence is proven by Aeolian history. Strabo 13.3.2 +1 The city of Cyme is located about seventy stadia from the city of Larisa, and its defensive wall stands thirty stadia away from Larisa. Strabo 13.3.3 +1 Salt-cabbage is reported to grow in Cyme. Athenaeus 9.9 The city is described as a lovely maiden in the text. Homer's Epigrams A promontory called Hydra lies forty stadia from Cyme. Strabo 13.3.5
Stories and history
The people of Cyme sent envoys to Branchidae to seek divine guidance regarding Pactyes. Herodotus 1.157.3 +1 The founders captured the nearby city of Larisa. Strabo 13.3.3 Surviving Pelasgi were moved to Cyme as new settlers. Strabo 13.3.3 The men of Cyme were commanded to surrender their suppliants. Herodotus 1.159.4 The city was captured by the forces of Artaphrenes and Otanes. Herodotus 5.123.1 Messengers were sent to Cyme demanding the surrender of Pactyes. Herodotus 1.157.3 It is disputed whether the poet Homer was originally from this city. Strabo 13.3.6 The city was founded by settlers who came from a mountain in Locris. Strabo 13.3.3 Cyme was captured by the conqueror who also took other Ionian cities. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.33 The state borrowed money and pledged its porticos as security for the debt. Strabo 13.3.6