STRUMA (river in Edonis)
River in Bulgaria and Greece
- Kind of place
- River
- Region
- Edonis
- Where
- 40.79° N, 23.85° E
The river is described as mighty and far renowned among people. Athenaeus 7.56 The river flows through the rich, warlike plains of Thrace. Athenaeus 7.56 The Strymon River is located on the coast of the Ægean Sea in Thrace. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.18 ¶2
Described in the sources
The Persian stronghold of Eion was situated on the Strymon river. Herodotus 7.113.1 +1 The Strymon river forms the southern boundary of the region known as Phyllis. Herodotus 7.113.2 +1 The river serves as the boundary between Macedonian and Paeonian lands and Thracian territory. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.17 ¶3 +1 Xerxes traveled by land from Athens to Eion on the Strymon and later took ship near the river during his retreat. Herodotus 8.118.1 +1 The Paeonians are identified as coming from the Strymon region, where the towns of Paeonia are situated along the banks of the river. Herodotus 5.1.2 +1 The river originates in Mount Hæmus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.17 ¶3 The river Angites flows into the Strymon. Herodotus 7.113.2 The Strymon is associated with the mountain Rhodope. Statius, Thebaid 5.177-204 ¶1 The Strymon is the location where battles took place. Statius, Thebaid 5.177-204 ¶1 The Strymon flows through the region ruled by the speaker. Aeschylus, Suppliant Maidens 234-273
Gods and worship
Magi sacrificed white horses at the Strymon to seek good omens. Herodotus 7.113.2 The river is invoked with holy cries and praised for washing Bacchus's wands and horns. Statius, Thebaid 9.429-456 ¶1
Stories and history
The river is said to breed eels of great size. Athenaeus 7.56 The river flows into seven lakes before continuing its course. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.17 ¶3 The sun's heat melted the ice in the middle of the frozen river. Aeschylus, Persians 480-514 Enchantments were performed on the river before people crossed it. Herodotus 7.114.1 A god caused the river to freeze completely from one shore to the other. Aeschylus, Persians 480-514 The river rebukes Liber for his violence and for forgetting his parents. Statius, Thebaid 9.429-456 ¶1 The river seeks a difficult passage to the sea due to being blocked by gore. Statius, Thebaid 9.429-456 ¶1 Many Persian soldiers drowned when the ice broke beneath them while crossing. Aeschylus, Persians 480-514 Bridges were constructed across the Strymon at a location called the Nine Ways. Herodotus 7.114.1 The Strymon's breezes spared neither ship nor cable during the cruel port stay. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 192-204