THERMODON (river in Pontus and Paphlagonia)
River in Turkey
- Kind of place
- River
- Region
- Pontus and Paphlagonia
- Where
- 41.21° N, 37.03° E
The Amazons lived in the region surrounding the river Thermodon. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 696-741 The river flows down from lofty mountains known as the Amazonian mountains. Argonautica 2 ¶66 The main stream bursts into the inhospitable Pontus with an arching crest of foam. Argonautica 2 ¶66
Described in the sources
The city of Themiscyra is located on the river Thermodon. Diodorus 4.16 +4 The Thermodon river marks the greatest width of the Pontus. Diodorus 3.52 +1 The river is situated on the coast. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.4 ¶1 The river is situated near the plain of Doeas. Argonautica 2 ¶26 The water flows past the foot of Mount Amazonius. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.4 ¶1 Women skilled with the spear live by the Thermodon. Bacchylides 9 The Thermodon is described as a fair-flowing stream. Bacchylides 9 The Thebans refer to a local torrent as the Thermodon. Pausanias 9.19.3 The women living by the Thermodon are daughters of Ares. Bacchylides 9 The Argonauts sailed past the Thermodon on their journey. Apollodorus 1.9.23
Gods and worship
The women from this place were described as being dear to the god Ares. Tryphiodorus, The Taking of Ilios ¶2 It collects the water from all the rivers originating in the nearby mountains. Strabo 12.3.15
Stories and history
Women from this area mourned the death of the warrior Penthesileia. Tryphiodorus, The Taking of Ilios ¶2 Antiope betrayed the city of Themiscyra on the Thermodon to Theseus. The Returns fr. 3 The Amazons were reportedly driven out of the area around the river. Strabo 11.5.4 The belt inlaid with gold from this river was gained by the speaker. Ovid Met. 9.101-272 (5) 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 Amazons who died near Chaeroneia were buried on the banks of this stream. Plutarch, Theseus 27.6 Many of the river's streams are swallowed up in sand and remain nameless. Argonautica 2 ¶66 The river contributes to the formation of an alluvial deposit at its mouth. Strabo 1.3.7 The river was described as swift during the global fire caused by Phaethon. Ovid Met. 2.1-303 (11)