ORICUM (city in Illyrian coast)
Ancient city and archaeological site in Albania
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Illyrian coast
- Where
- 40.32° N, 19.43° E
The Colchians are credited with founding the town. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.26 ¶2 Oricum is a coastal town that is no longer an island. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.91 ¶1 The river Chon empties into the sea near the harbor of Oricum. Herodotus 9.93.1
Described in the sources
It is located near the Acroceraunian mountains. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.26 ¶2 Oricum is located next to the region of Bylliace. Strabo 7.5.8 The location marks the beginning of the region of Epirus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.26 ¶2 The town is eighty miles away from the Promontory of Salentinum in Italy. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.26 ¶2 The island of Sasonis is located twelve miles away from Oricum in the Ionian Sea. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.30 ¶2 The Colchians were destined to reach the Ceraunian hills and Oricum after passing to an opposite island. Argonautica 4 ¶69
Stories and history
The city possesses a naval arsenal. Strabo 7.5.8