THEMISCYRA (city in Pontus and Paphlagonia)
Ancient city of Pontus in modern-day Turkey
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Pontus and Paphlagonia
- Where
- 41.21° N, 36.97° E
The place is identified as the abode of the Amazons. Strabo 12.3.14 Heracles attempted to besiege the city but failed to capture it. Pausanias 1.15.2 Themiscyra is described as a plain that is partly washed by the sea. Strabo 12.3.15
Described in the sources
Themiscyra is situated on the river Thermodon. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 696-741 +4 The Amazons will inhabit Themiscyra in the future, and their palace was situated within the city. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 696-741 +1 Themiscyra is located under the same meridian as Amisus and the Gulf of Issus, and its plain is about 60 stadia away from the city of Amisus. Strabo 12.3.15 +1 The area around Themiscyra includes mountains situated above the plains, with part of the plain sitting at the foot of a well-wooded mountainous region. Strabo 11.5.4 +1 The city faces the sea near Salmydessus. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 696-741 Themiscyra belonged to the Amiseni people. Strabo 12.3.9 The archer Orthosia was carried away from this location. Lycophron, Alexandra ¶57 The river Iris also flows through the plain of Themiscyra. Strabo 12.3.15 Themiscyra is located among other fertile spots in the region. Strabo 12.3.14 The town of Themiscyra no longer existed at the time of writing. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.4 ¶1
Stories and history
Antiope surrendered the stronghold to Theseus after falling in love with him. Pausanias 1.2.1 +1 The largest crops grown there are panic and millet. Strabo 12.3.15 All writers mention that Themiscyra once belonged to the Amazons. Strabo 11.5.4 The Amazons were driven out of Themiscyra according to tradition. Strabo 11.5.4 The people there never experience famine due to abundant water supply. Strabo 12.3.15 Heracles encamped near the city during his expedition against the Amazons. Diodorus 4.16 Wild animals of all kinds resort to the area for abundant food and are frequently hunted. Strabo 12.3.15 The plain is well watered, constantly covered with herbage, and can provide food for herds of cattle and horses. Strabo 12.3.15 The mountainous foot produces large autumnal crops of wild fruits, including those from vines, pears, apples, and hazel trees. Strabo 12.3.15
Myths set at Themiscyra
- The Theft of the Girdle. Hercules arrives at Themiscyra to claim the girdle of the Amazon queen, Hippolyta. The story ends with Hercules possessing the girdle after a violent confrontation with the queen. Apollodorus 2.5.9 +5 Hippolyta
- The Expedition to Themiscyra. Theseus joins Heracles to besiege Themiscyra, where he abducts a young girl and steals a goddess's belt. This triggers a war and a double feud against the city. Lucian, Dialogues of the Gods 19 ¶11 +3 Theseus
- The Betrayal of Themiscyra. Antiope, an Amazon queen located in Themiscyra on the Thermodon, betrays her city to aid Heracles. Heracles captures the city and slays Antiope and the Amazons. Pausanias 1.2.1 +2 Antiope