DYME (city in Achaea)
Ancient Greek city in Achaea
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Achaea
- People of myth here
- Sostratus of Dyme
- Where
- 38.14° N, 21.55° E
Dyme is the most westerly of the Achaean cities, and its name derives from this position. Strabo 8.7.5 The river Teutheas flows into the Achelous, which runs by Dyme. Strabo 8.3.11 A sanctuary for the Dindymenian mother and Attis exists within the city. Pausanias 7.17.9
Described in the sources
Dyme is an inland Achaean city and one of the twelve divisions of the Achaeans that joined the Achaean community. Herodotus 1.145.1 +3 The river Larisus separates Dyme from Eleia at Buprasium, with Dyme located about thirty stades from the river. Pausanias 7.17.5 +2 A decisive battle between Aratus and Cleomenes took place at Dyme. Pausanias 2.9.2 +1 The territory of Dyme contains the grave of the runner Oebotas, who was a resident of the city. Pausanias 7.17.13 +1 The territory of Elis borders the land of Dyme on the side facing Achaia, making Dyme the Achaean city closest to Elis. Pausanias 7.6.1 +1 Dyme is identified as one of the twelve divisions of the Ionians in the Peloponnese, and the Ionians changed the city's name to its modern form while they occupied it. Herodotus 1.145.1 +1 Antimachus referred to Dyme as Cauconis. Strabo 8.7.5 Olenum is described as a colony of Dyme. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.6 ¶1 A river named Thoas is located near Dyme. Strabo 10.2.1 Phara borders upon the Dymaean territory. Strabo 8.7.5
Stories and history
Augustus annexed Dyme to the city of Patrae. Pausanias 7.17.5 The Achaeans united the settlement of Olenus with Dyme. Strabo 8.7.4 The desolate city of Dyme sent military aid to the army. Statius, Thebaid 4.121-146 ¶1 Others suggest the epithet derives from a river named Caucon. Strabo 8.7.5 The Roman governor Sulpicius allowed his soldiers to sack Dyme. Pausanias 7.17.5 The Achaeans settled in Dyme after the Ionians had left the area. Pausanias 7.6.1 Philip, son of Demetrius, made Dyme subject to him during his wars. Pausanias 7.17.5 Some writers suppose the epithet Cauconis is derived from the Caucones people. Strabo 8.7.5 Dyme received a colony of remnants from pirate bands whose haunts Pompey destroyed. Strabo 8.7.5 Pompey relocated some pirate survivors to this city because its population was low. Strabo 14.3.3