Pistyrus

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For the inland colony, see Pistiros.

Pistyrus or Pistyros (Ancient Greek: Πίστυρος), or Pistirus or Pistiros (Πίστιρος),[1] or Bistirus or Bistiros (Βίστιρος),[2] also known as Pisteira (Πίστειρα),[3] was an ancient Greek polis on the coast of Edonis, in ancient Thrace. It was founded as a colony of Thasos and itself may have founded Pistiros in inland Thrace.[4] The army of Xerxes I passed by Pistyrus after crossing the Nestus River.[5] The name Pistyrus was also applied to the adjoining lake (now called ), which was described by Herodotus as 30 stadia in circumference, full of fish, and exceedingly salty.[5]

Pistyrus has been identified with the remains of a fortified settlement east of located near the Vasova salt lake. The fortifications are of the regular "Thasian" type. Among the finds are coins from Neapolis and Thasos, dated to 520-510 BCE.

References[]

  1. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. s.v. Πίστιρος.
  2. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. s.v. Βίστιρος.
  3. ^ Harpocration, p. 124. 11; Schol. ad Aesch. Pers. 2.
  4. ^ Mogens Herman Hansen & Thomas Heine Nielsen (2004). "Thrace from Nestos to Hebros". An inventory of archaic and classical poleis. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 895. ISBN 0-19-814099-1.; "The emporion of Pistiros was an inland trading station originally founded by merchants coming from the polis of Pistiros a dependency of Thasos situated on the Thracian coast."
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Herodotus. Histories. 7.109.

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

Coordinates: 40°58′17″N 24°35′31″E / 40.971388°N 24.591944°E / 40.971388; 24.591944


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