Myrina

Myrina (Μυρίνα: Eth. Μυριναῖος), one of the Aeolian cities on the western coast of Mysia, about 40 stadia to the south-west of Gryneium. (Hdt. 1.149.) It is said to have been founded by one Myrinus before the other Aeolian cities (Mela, 1.18), or by the Amazon Myrina (Strab. xi. p.505, xii. p. 573, xiii. p. 623; Diod. 3.54). Artaxerxes gave Gryneium and Myrina to Gongylus, an Eretrian, who had been banished from his native city for favouring the interests of Persia. (Xenoph. Hellen. 3.1.4.) Myrina was a very strong place (Liv. 33.30), though not very large, and had a good harbour. (Scylax, p. 36; Agath. Praef. p. 9, ed. Bonn.) Pliny (5.32) 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 Macedonia; but the Romans compelled him to evacuate it, and declared the place free. (Liv. l. c,; Plb. 18.27.) It was twice visited by severe earthquakes; first in the reign of Tiberius (Tac. Ann. 2.47), 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 (Oros. 7.12). The town was restored each time, and continued to exist until a late period. (Steph. Byz. s.v. Ptol. 5.2.6; Apollon. 1.604; Hierocl. p. 661; Geogr. Ray. 5.9, where it is called Myrenna, while in the Pent. Tab. it bears the name Marinna.) Its site is believed to be occupied by the modern Sandarlik.

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