Thyamis

Thyamis
Country Greece
Basin features
River mouth Ionian Sea
39°35′12″N 20°8′32″E / 39.58667°N 20.14222°E / 39.58667; 20.14222Coordinates: 39°35′12″N 20°8′32″E / 39.58667°N 20.14222°E / 39.58667; 20.14222
Physical characteristics
Length approx. 100 km (62 mi)

The Thyamis (Greek: Θύαμις), also known as Glykys (Γλυκύς)[1] or Kalamas (Καλαμάς),[2] is a river in the Epirus region of Greece. It flows into the Ionian Sea. The names of the Chameria region (Tsamouria 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 hydroelectric dam of river Thyamis, in Thesprotia

The source of the river is near the village Kalpaki, in the northwestern part of the Ioannina regional unit. It flows south at first, and turns southwest near Soulopoulo. It receives its tributary Tyria near Vrosina, and turns west near Kyparisso in Thesprotia, where the hydroelectric dam is located. It empties into the Ionian Sea near the village Kestrini, between Igoumenitsa and Sagiada, close to the Albanian border.

Places along the river include, from source to mouth: Mazaraki, Soulopoulo, Vrosina, Raveni, Pente Ekklisies, Kyparisso, Parapotamos and Kestrini.

Environment

Thyamis forms a river delta where it empties in the Ionian Sea, north of Igoumenitsa. The delta is known for being rich in flora and migrating birds stop in its waters for food and rest.

The river, however, has suffered from environmental degradation for decades, due to uncontrolled human activities (farming activity, urban and industrial effluents and waste, lack of management plan and poor coordination of competent authorities for its protection).

See also

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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