Myrina (Mysia)

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Myrina (Greek: Μυρίνα), was one of the Aeolian cities on the western coast of Mysia, about 40 stadia to the southwest of Gryneium. [1] Its site is believed to be occupied by the modern Sandarlik at the mouth of the Koca Çay.[2]

It is said to have been founded by one Myrinus before the other Aeolian cities[3], or by the Amazon Myrina[4]. Artaxerxes gave Gryneium and Myrina to Gongylus, an Eretrian, who had been banished from his native city for favoring the interests of Persia.[5]

Myrina was a very strong place[6], though not very large, and had a good harbor. [7] Pliny[8] mentions that it bore the surname of Sebastopolis; while, according to Syncellus, it was also called Smyrna. For some time Myrina was occupied by Philip of Macedon; but the Romans compelled him to evacuate it, and declared the place free.[9] It twice suffered severe earthquakes; first in the reign of Tiberius[10], on which occasion it received a remission of duties on account of the loss it had sustained; and a second time in the reign of Trajan[11]. The town was restored each time, and continued to exist until a late period.[12] Myrina minted coins in antiquity, some of which survive.

[edit] Famous residents

[edit] References

  1. ^ Herod. i. 149.
  2. ^ Richard Talbert, Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World, (ISBN 0-691-03169-X), Map 56 & notes.
  3. ^ Mela, i. 18.
  4. ^ Strabo xi. p. 505, xii. p. 573, xiii. p. 623; Diod. iii. 54.
  5. ^ Xenoph. Hellen. iii. 1. § 4.
  6. ^ Liv. xxxiii. 30.
  7. ^ Scylax, p. 36; Agath. Praef. p. 9, ed. Bonn.
  8. ^ v. 32.
  9. ^ Liv. l. c,; Polyb. xviii. 27.
  10. ^ Tac. Ann. ii. 47.
  11. ^ Oros. vii. 12.
  12. ^ Steph. Byz. s. v.; Ptol. v. 2. § 6; Apollon. Rhod. i. 604; Hierocl. p. 661; Geogr. Rav. v. 9, where it is called Myrenna, while in the Peut. Tab. it bears the name Marinna.)