Myrina (Mysia)

Pytikos River and at left, ancient Myrina on Beriki Tepe hill

Myrina (Greek: Μυρίνα), was one of the Aeolian cities on the western coast of Mysia, about 40 stadia to the southwest of Gryneion.^[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.

Famous residents

• Agathias
• French School of Athens

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed (1854–57). "^{article name needed}". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray. 

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.)

External Links

• asiaminorcoins.com, Ancient coins of Myrina