Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 2.djvu/313

 B. xii. c. in. 29, 30. PONTUS. 305 Sinoria, a fortress situated on the borders of the Greater Ar- menia, whence Theophanes parodied the name, and called it Synoria. All the mountainous range of the Paryadres has many such convenient situations for fortresses, being well supplied with water and timber, it is intersected in many places by abrupt ravines and precipices. Here he built most of the strongholds for keeping his treasure. At last on the invasion of the country by Pompey he took refuge in these extreme parts of the kingdom of Pontus, and occupied a mountain near Das- teira in Acilisene, which was well supplied with water. The Euphrates also was near, which is the boundary between Acili- sene and the Lesser Armenia. Mithridates remained there till he was besieged and compelled to fly across the mountains into Colchis, and thence to Bosporus. Pompey built near this same place in the Lesser Armenia Nicopolis, a city which yet- subsists, and is well inhabited. 29. The Lesser Armenia, which was in the possession of different persons at different times, according to the pleasure of the Romans, was at last subject to Archelaus. The Tiba- reni, however, and Chaldasi, extending as far as Colchis, Phar- nacia, and Trapezus, are under the government of Pythodoris, a prudent woman, and capable of presiding over the manage- ment of public affairs. She is the daughter of Pythodorus of Tralles. She was the wife of Polemo, and reigned con- jointly with him for some time. She succeeded, after his death, to the throne. He died in the country of the Aspur- giani, a tribe of barbarians living about Sindica. She had two sons by Polemo, and a daughter who was married to Cotys the Sapsean. He was treacherously murdered, and she became a widow. She had children by him, the eldest of whom is now king. Of the sons of Pythodoris, one as a private person, administers, together with his mother, the affairs of the kingdom, the other has been lately made king of the Greater Armenia. Pythodoris however married Archelaus, and remained with him till his death. At present she is a widow, and in possession of the countries before mentioned, and of others still more beautiful, of which we shall next speak. 30. Sidene, and Themiscyra are contiguous to Pharnacia. Above these countries is situated Phanaroea, containing the best portion of the Pontus, for it produces excellent oil and VOL. II. X