CYTORUS (city in Pontus and Paphlagonia)
Ancient city of Pontus in modern-day Turkey
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Pontus and Paphlagonia
- Where
- 41.86° N, 32.86° E
Cytorus is a woody location along the Argonauts' sea route where high-quality box-wood grows abundantly. Argonautica 2 ¶64 Cytorus is a small coastal city in Pontus, modern-day Turkey, named after Cytorus, the son of Phrixus, according to Ephorus. Strabo 12.3.10 Cytorus is described as a place that is pleasant to see. Georgics 2.426
Described in the sources
Cytorus was held by the Paphlagonians. Iliad 2 ¶78 The box-tree is abundant in the mountains of Cytorus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.28 ¶2 Cytorum served as a trading market for the people of Sinope. Strabo 12.3.10 The area around Cytorus is depicted as waving with box trees. Georgics 2.426 Mount Cytorus is located sixty-three miles away from the town of Tium. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.2 ¶1 Cytorum was one of four cities combined to form the settlement of Amastris. Strabo 12.3.10 Cytorus is situated after the Genetes and before Ischopolis along the coast. Strabo 12.3.17 The colony of Sinope is situated one hundred and sixty-four miles from Mount Cytorus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.2 ¶1
Stories and history
The city of Pharnacia received a colony from Cytorus. Strabo 12.3.17