Thyamis

For persons named Thyamis, see Thyamis (mythology).
Thyamis
Mouth Ionian Sea
Basin countries Greece
Length approx. 100 km

The Thyamis (Greek: Θύαμις), also known as Glycis[1] or Kalamas,[2] is a river in the Epirus region of Greece. It flows into the Ionian Sea. The names of the Chameria region (Tsiamouria in Greek), as well as the former Cham minority, derive from the river's name. Thyamis in ancient Greece was mentioned by Pausanias[3] as forming the boundary between Thesprotis and Kestrine.[4][5]

Some Renaissance scholars believed that the English River Thames owed its name to the River Thyamis, as early Celtic tribes were thought to have migrated from the Epirus region to England. While this belief influenced the modern spelling of the English river's name, it is no longer regarded as credible.

Geography

The river begins in the mountains next to the Albanian border. It flows east of Delvinaki, underneath the GR-22/E853. The river enters a forested area and crosses the GR-6, the old highway connecting Igoumenitsa and Ioannina. The river enters an area with some gorges, south of Filiates. It empties into the Ionian sea between Igoumenitsa and Sagiada, close to the Albanian border.

References

  1. ^ Strabo. Geography, 7.7. Note #35: "The Thyamus, or Thyamis, is now called Glycys, and the Acheron, Calamas."
  2. ^ Peck, Harry Thurston. Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, 1898, p. 1579. "(Thuamis). Now Kalama; a river in Epirus, forming the boundary between Thesprotia and the district of Cestryna."
  3. ^ Pausanias. Description of Greece, Attica, 1.11.2. "Helenus on his death passed on the kingdom to Molossus, son of Pyrrhus, so that Cestrinus with volunteers from the Epeirots took possession of the region beyond the river Thyamis, while Pergamus crossed into Asia and killed Areius..."
  4. ^ Finley, M. I. The Portable Greek Historians: The Essence of Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Polybius. Viking Portable Library, 1977, p. 220: "There also the river Thyamis flows, forming the boundary between Thesprotis and Kes-trine..."
  5. ^ Pliny the Elder. Natural History, 4.1.2, "the Thyamis, a river of Thesprotia..."

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