Zeugma

1.

(Σεῦγμα, Ptol. 5.15.14), a town founded by Seleucus Nicator, in the province of Cyrrhestica, in Syria. It derived its name from a bridge of boats which was here laid across the Euphrates, and which in the course of time became the sole passage over the river, when the older one at Thapsacus, 2000 stadia to the S., had become impracticable, or at all events very dangerous, owing to the spreading of the Arabian hordes. (Plin. Nat. 5.24. s. 21; Strab. xvi. p.746; Steph. B. sub voce Zeugma lay on the right bank of the Euphrates, opposite to Apamea, 72 miles SW. of Samosata, 175 miles NE. of the maritime Seleucia, and 36 miles N. of Hierapolis. (Plin l.c., and 5.12. s. 13; Strab. xvi. p.749; Tab. Peut.) It was therefore opposite to the modern Bir or Biredsjik, which occupies the site of the ancient Apamea. (Cf. Ritter, Erdkunde, x. p. 944, seq.) In the time of Justinian, Zeugma had fallen into decay, but was restored by that emperor. Procop. de Aed. 2.9, p. 237, ed. Bonn.) (Cf.

Plb. 5.43; D. C. 40.17, 49.19; Lucan 8.236; Itin. Ant. pp. 184, 185, &c.)

2.

A place in Dacia. (Ptol. 3.8.10). Mannert (iv. p. 210) identifies it with the Pons Augusti of the Geogr. Rav. (4.14) and Tab. Peut.; concerning which see above, p. 656.) [T.H.D]