EPIDAMNOS (city in Illyrian coast)
Greek colonial city in South Illyria
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Illyrian coast
- Where
- 41.32° N, 19.45° E
The city was established by colonists from Corcyra. Strabo 7.5.8 Epidamnus is located on the coast opposite Brentesium across the sea. Strabo 6.3.8 It serves as the disembarkation point for sea crossings from Brundusium to Greece. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.16 ¶1
Described in the sources
The Egnatian Way begins its route from Epidamnus. Strabo 7.7.4 +2 The modern city takes its name from its founder, and it is also known by the name Dyrrhachium. Pausanias 6.10.8 +1 Epidamnus is located on the coast near Apollonia, where a traveler from Epidamnus meets a traveler from Apollonia midway between the two cities. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.26 ¶2 +1 Dyrrachium is identified as a city located in Illyria. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.16 ¶1 It takes its name from the peninsula where it is situated. Strabo 7.5.8 Dyrrhachium is located 711 miles from the town of Byzantium. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.18 ¶5 Cleosthenes, who won a chariot race, was a man from this city. Pausanias 6.10.6 Epidamnus is located after the bay of Rhizon and the city of Lissus. Strabo 7.5.8 The distance from Thessalonica to Dyrrhachium is stated to be 245 miles. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.17 ¶3 The modern city is located a short distance from the ancient settlement. Pausanias 6.10.8
Stories and history
The sea crossing from Brentesium to Epidamnus is 1800 stadia long. Strabo 6.3.8 The sea distance from Brundusium to Dyrrachium is stated to be 225 miles. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.16 ¶1 The crossing to Epidamnus is longer than the route to the Ceraunian Mountains. Strabo 6.3.8 Many inhabitants of Dyspontium were relocated to Epidamnus after the city was razed. Strabo 8.3.32 Julius Caesar's soldiers were forced to eat wild cabbage during the siege of this city. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 19.40 ¶8 The inhabitants of Dyrrhachium highly value a specific vine variety called the basilica. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 14.4 ¶8