GORTYN (city in Crete)
Ancient city in Crete, Greece
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Crete
- Where
- 35.06° N, 24.95° E
Gortyna is identified as one of the largest and most distinguished cities in Crete. Strabo 10.4.7 The river Lethaeus flows through the entire city. Strabo 10.4.11 A famous plane tree that never loses its leaves is located near a fountain in this city. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 12.5 ¶3
Described in the sources
The sea runs high along the coast from Gortyn to Phaestus, which is located sixty stadia away, during south winds. Odyssey 3 ¶24 +1 The city is located in Crete. Pausanias 8.53.4 The city is located in a plain area. Strabo 10.4.11 The city is located 200 stadia away from Cnossus. Strabo 10.4.7 Gortyna is situated 90 stadia from the African sea. Strabo 10.4.7 A high headland extends into the sea from this location. Odyssey 3 ¶24 Daedalus is said by some to have taken a wife from this city. Pausanias 2.15.1 Gortyn is located at an equal distance from Cydonia as Cnossus is. Strabo 10.4.13 The Prasii bordering the Lebenii are located 180 stadia from Gortyn. Strabo 10.4.12 The Cydonians dwell near the river Iardanus in the region of this place. Odyssey 3 ¶24
Stories and history
The Gortynians possess the territory of Rhytium. Strabo 10.4.14 The city possesses a second arsenal named Matalum. Strabo 10.4.11 The people of Gortyn destroyed the city of Phaestus. Strabo 10.4.14 The Gortynians own the territory of the razed city of Phaestus. Strabo 10.4.14 Homer is cited as indicating that Gortyna was once a walled city. Strabo 10.4.11 The ancient building of the city extended nearly fifty stadia in length. Strabo 10.4.11 The city gained superiority over Cnossus after Cnossus lost its ascendency. Strabo 10.4.7 The city's original walls were completely destroyed down to their foundations. Strabo 10.4.11 Together with Cnossus, Gortyna controlled the rest of the island's inhabitants. Strabo 10.4.11 Cuttings from the local plane tree were planted elsewhere in Crete during early times. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 12.5 ¶3