Metropolis (Ancient Greek: Μητρόπολις) was an ancient town in the north of Phrygia, and, as the name seems to indicate, a capital of the ancient kings of Phrygia, though Stephanus of Byzantium derives the name from the mother of the gods.[1] It was situated to the north of Synnada (Athen. 13.574.), and must not be confounded with another town of the same name in the south of Phrygia.[2] Its site is, in all probability, indicated by the ruins of Pismesh Kalasi, north of Doganlu, which show a very antique style of architecture, and mainly consist of tombs cut into the rocks; one of these tombs is that of king Midas. Although William Martin Leake is inclined to think that these ruins mark the site of Nicoleia;[3] William Smith credits other travelers who identify them with Metropolis.[4][5] From the extent of the ruins, it would seem that in the time of the Roman emperors Metropolis was an important town; but afterwards it declined, though it is still mentioned by Hierocles.[6]
Modern scholars locate its site near Oynaş Köyü, Oynaş, Eskişehir Province, Asian Turkey.[7][8]
References
- ↑ Steph. B., Ethnica, s.v.
- ↑ Strabo, Geography, XII, viii, 13; XIV, il, 29.
- ↑ Leake, Journal of a tour in Asia Minor,: with comparative remarks on the ancient and modern geography of that country, p. 24.
- ↑ Johann Franz, Fünf Inschriften, p. 42.
- ↑
Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Metropolis". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray. - ↑ Hierocles, Synecdemus, p. 677.
- ↑ Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
- ↑ Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 62, and directory notes accompanying.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Metropolis". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
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