TERME RIVER (river in Pontus and Paphlagonia)
River in Turkey
- Kind of place
- River
- Region
- Pontus and Paphlagonia
- Where
- 41.20° N, 37.03° E
The Amazons lived in the region surrounding the Thermodon river. Apollodorus 2.5.9 The main stream bursts into the inhospitable Pontus with an arching crest of foam. Argonautica 2 ¶66 The river's banks yield iaspis stones that are azure in color. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 37.37 ¶1
Described in the sources
The city of Themiscyra, which contained the Amazons' palace, was located on the banks of the Thermodon river near its mouth. Diodorus 4.16 +4 The Thermodon flows into a quiet bay at the Themiscyreian headland, near the plain of Doeas and the coastal area known as the plain of the Amazons. Argonautica 2 ¶26 +2 The Thermodon is located on the Pontus near the sea and Salmydessus. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 696-741 +1 The river flows down from the Amazonian mountains, which are mentioned as formerly belonging to the Amazons. Argonautica 2 ¶66 +1 The Thermodon river flows between Tanagra and Glisas, traversing a plain at the foot of a wooded mountainous region. Herodotus 9.43.2 +1 The Amazons will inhabit Themiscyra on the Thermodon in the future. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 696-741 Penthesileia departed from the broad-sweeping streams of this river. Quintus 1 ¶2 The Greeks achieved a military victory over the Amazons at this river. Herodotus 4.110.1 The stream of Thermodon was left by the sisters of the archer Orthosia. Lycophron, Alexandra ¶57 Cleitarchus claims Thalestria departed from the river to meet Alexander. Strabo 11.5.4
Gods and worship
The women from this river region were described as being dear to Ares. Tryphiodorus, The Taking of Ilios ¶2
Stories and history
The river marks the greatest width of the Pontus. Herodotus 4.86.3 The river wanders through a broad continent before reaching the sea. Argonautica 2 ¶26 The women by the Thermodon met with the descendants of the river god. Bacchylides 9 The river contributes to the formation of alluvial deposits at its mouth. Strabo 1.3.7 The Amazons are said to have been driven out from the area around the river. Strabo 11.5.4 It collects the water from all the rivers originating in the nearby mountains. Strabo 12.3.15 No other river is described as sending forth such mighty streams over the land. Argonautica 2 ¶66 The river was described as being swift during the fiery chaos caused by Phaethon. Ovid Met. 2.1-303 (11) The river has ninety-six visible streams, though it originates from a single spring. Argonautica 2 ¶66 The Amazons near the Thermodon were in their full vigour shortly before the Trojan War. Diodorus 3.52