Metropolis (northern Phrygia) explained

Metropolis (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: 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.

References

39.1713°N 30.6282°W

Notes and References

  1. Steph. B., Ethnica, s.v.
  2. [Strabo]
  3. Leake, Journal of a tour in Asia Minor,: with comparative remarks on the ancient and modern geography of that country, p. 24.
  4. Johann Franz, Fünf Inschriften, p. 42.
  5. Metropolis.
  6. Hierocles, Synecdemus, p. 677.