Hyrcanis (Lydia)

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 Halit Paşa in Asiatic Turkey,[10][11] south of Çamlıyurt.

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

References

  1. ^ Ruth Lindner, Mythos und Identität: Studien zur Selbstdarstellung kleinasiatischer Städte in der römischen Kaiserzeit (Franz Steiner Verlag, 1994) p128.
  2. ^ Strabo. Geographica. Vol. xiii. p.629. Page numbers refer to those of Isaac Casaubon's edition.
  3. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. Vol. s.v. Ὑρκανία.
  4. ^ Pliny. Naturalis Historia. Vol. 5.29.31.
  5. ^ Tacitus. Annales. Vol. 2.47.
  6. ^ "Titular See of Hyrcanis, Turkiye".
  7. ^ "Hyrcanis (Titular See) [Catholic-Hierarchy]".
  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. ISBN 978-0-691-03169-9.
  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 domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Hyrcania". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.


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