METHYMNA (city in Lesbos)
Ancient city and archaeological site on Lesbos island, Greece
Methymna is a city located on the island of Lesbos, within the territory of the Lesbians. Athenaeus 11.15 The people of this city worshipped the wooden image as Dionysus Phallen. Pausanias 10.19.3 Methymna contains a plain that features a wooded valley named Napē. Strabo 9.4.5
Described in the sources
Methymna is situated sixty stadia from the coast. Strabo 13.2.2 +1 Arion was a native of Methymna. Strabo 13.2.4 It lies between the locations of Polymedium and Assos. Strabo 13.2.2 Methymna is identified as the city of the deceased Timonoé. Callimachus, Epigrams ¶4 Mitylene is located between Methymna and Malia on the island. Strabo 13.2.2 Arion, a renowned lyre player, originated from this city on Lesbos. Herodotus 1.23.1 A dolphin swam from Methymna to Taenarum carrying a musician on its back. Lucian, Dialogues of the Sea-Gods 8 ¶1 Arion intended to travel to this city to display his wealth to his family. Lucian, Dialogues of the Sea-Gods 8 ¶2 Methymna is the location where a specific type of grape tendril is harvested. Georgics 2.83 The distance from Methymna to the southern promontory of Malia is 340 stadia. Strabo 13.2.2
Stories and history
Methymna was united with the city of Antissa. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.39 ¶1 Enalus claimed the virgin remained among the Nereids. Athenaeus 11.15 The city on the island of Lesbos was named after her. Diodorus 5.81 Enalus swam to land on a great wave cast onto the shore. Athenaeus 11.15 Enalus stated he became the superintendent of Neptune's horses. Athenaeus 11.15 Enalus and the virgin disappeared from view, hidden by the waves. Athenaeus 11.15 Enalus held a gold goblet of wondrous workmanship upon his return. Athenaeus 11.15 Enalus later reappeared in Methymna after the city had become populous. Athenaeus 11.15 The city retained the wooden image while sending a bronze copy to Delphi. Pausanias 10.19.3 Fishermen from this city retrieved a strange olive-wood face from the sea. Pausanias 10.19.3