Hyrcanis (Lydia)

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Hyrcanis among the cities of Lydia (ca. 50 AD)
Asia Minor 400AD

Hyrcanis or Hyrkaneis, also known as Hyrcania (Ancient Greek: Ὑρκανία), was a Roman and Byzantine-era city[1] and bishopric in ancient Lydia, now in western Turkey. It was situated in the Hyrcanian plain (τὸ Ὑρκάνιον πεδίον), which is said to have derived its name from a colony of Hyrcanians being settled here by the Persians.[2][3] They were afterwards mingled with some Macedonians, who also settled in this district, whence they are called by Pliny the Elder and Tacitus "Macedones Hyrcani."[4][5][6][7] The city minted its own coins.[8][9]

Its site is located west of in Asiatic Turkey.[10][11]

The city was also the seat of an ancient bishopric. Known bishops include:

  • Asyncritus
  • John Attendee at First Council of Constantinople
  • Eustathius
  • Dionesius fl.1157[12]

References[]

  1. ^ Ruth Lindner, Mythos und Identität: Studien zur Selbstdarstellung kleinasiatischer Städte in der römischen Kaiserzeit (Franz Steiner Verlag, 1994) p128.
  2. ^ Strabo. Geographica. xiii. p.629. Page numbers refer to those of Isaac Casaubon's edition.
  3. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. s.v. Ὑρκανία.
  4. ^ Pliny. Naturalis Historia. 5.29.31.
  5. ^ Tacitus. Annales. 2.47.
  6. ^ http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t0935.htm
  7. ^ http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/d2h55.html
  8. ^ Ancient Coinage of Lydia, Hyrkanis.
  9. ^ Hyrkaneis at Asia Minor Coins .
  10. ^ Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 56, and directory notes accompanying.
  11. ^ Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
  12. ^ Michel Le Quien, Oriens christianus p887.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainSmith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Hyrcania". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.


Coordinates: 38°40′03″N 27°40′02″E / 38.667539°N 27.667099°E / 38.667539; 27.667099

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