Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 2.djvu/323

 B. xn. c. iv. 3. BITHYNIA. 315 2. Here upon the mouth of the Pontus is situated Chal- cedon, founded by the Megareans, 1 the village Chrysopolis, and the Chalcedonian temple. In the country a little above the sea-coast is a fountain, Azaritia, (Azaretia?) which breeds small crocodiles. Next follows the coast of the Chalcedonians, the bay of Astacus, 2 as it is called, which is a part of the Propontis. Here Nicomedia 3 is situated, bearing the name of one of the Bithynian kings by whom it was founded. Many kings however have taken the same name, as the Ptolemies, on ac- count of the fame of the first person who bore it. On the same bay was Astacus a city founded by Megareans and Athenians ; it was afterwards again colonized by Dcedal- sus. The bay had its name from the city. It was razed by Lysimachus. The founder of Nicomedia transferred its in- habitants to the latter city. 3. There is another bay 4 continuous with that of Astacus, which advances further towards the east, and, where is situ- ated Prusias, 5 formerly called Cius. Philip, the son of De- metrius, and father of Perseus, gave it to Prusias, son of Zelas, 'who had assisted him in destroying both this and Myrleia, 6 a neighbouring city, and also situated near Prusa. He rebuilt them from their ruins, and called the city Cius Prusias, after his own name, and Myrleia he called Apameia, after that of his wife. This is the Prusias who received Hannibal, (who took refuge with him hither after the de- feat of Antiochus,) and retired from Phrygia 7 on the Hel- lespont, according to agreement with the Attalici. 8 This country was formerly called Lesser Phrygia, but by the Atta- lici Phrygia Epictetus. 9 Above Prusias is a mountain which is called Arganthonius. 10 Here is the scene of the fable of Hylas, one of thte companions of Hercules in the ship Argo, who, having disembarked in order to obtain water for the vessel, was carried away by nymphs. Cius, as the story goes, was a friend and companion of Hercules ; on his return from Colchis, he settled there and founded the city which bears his name. At the present time a festival called Orei- 1 B. vii. c. vi. 2. 2 G. of Ismid. 3 Ismid or Iskimid. 4 B. of Gemlik. 5 Brusa. 6 Mudania. Livy, xxxviii. 39. 8 The kings of Pergamus. The Acquired. 10 The ridge of Katerlu Dagh and Samanlu Dagh.