previous next


TEOS (Τέως: Eth. Τήιος), an Ionian city on the coast of Asia Minor, on the south side of the isthmus connecting the Ionian peninsula of Mount Mimas with the mainland. It was originally a colony of the Minyae of Orchomenos led out by Athamas, but during the Ionian migration the inhabitants were joined by numerous colonists from Athens under Nauclus, a son of Codrus, Apoecus, and Damasus; and afterwards their number was further increased by Boeotians under Geres. (Strab. xiv. p.633; Paus. 7.3.3; Hdt. 1.142; Scylax, p. 37; Steph. B. sub voce The city had two good harbours, one of which is mentioned even by Scylax, and the second, 30 stadia distant from the former, is called by Strabo Γερραίδαι (xiv. p. 644), and by Livy (37.27) Geraesticus. Teos became a flourishing commercial town, and enjoyed its prosperity until the time of the Persian dominion, when its inhabitants, unable to bear the insolence of the barbarians, abandoned their city and removed to Abdera in Thrace. (Hdt. 1.168; Strab. l.c.) But though deserted by the greater part of its inhabitants, Teos still continued to be one of the Ionian cities, and in alliance with Athens. (Thuc. 3.32.) After the Sicilian disaster, Tees revolted from Athens, but was speedily reduced (Thuc. 8.16, 19, 20). In the war against Antiochus, the fleet of the Romans and Rhodians gained a victory over that of the Syrian king in the neighbourhood of this city. (Liv. l.c.; comp. Plb. 5.77.) The vicinity of Teos produced excellent wine, whence Bacchus was one of the chief divinities of the place. Pliny (5.38) erroneously calls Teos an island, for at most it could only be termed a peninsula. (Comp. Pomp. Mela, 1.17; Ptol. 5.2.6.) There still exist considerable remains of Teos at a place called Sighajik, which seems to have been one of the ports of the ancient city, and the walls of which are constructed of the ruins of Teos, so that they are covered with a number of Greek inscriptions of considerable interest, referring, as they do, to treaties made between the Teians and other states, such as the Romans, Aetolians, and several cities of Crete, by all of whom the inviolability of the Teian territory, the worship of Bacchus, and the right of asylum are confirmed. The most interesting among the ruins of Teos are those of the theatre and of the great and splendid temple of Bacchus; the massive walls of the city also may still be traced along their whole extent. The theatre commands a magnificent view, overlooking the site of the ancient city and the bay as far as the bold promontory of Myonnesus and the distant island of Samos. For a detailed description of these remains, see Hamilton, Researches, ii. p. 11, foll.; comp. Leake, Asia Minor, p. 350.



hide Display Preferences
Greek Display:
Arabic Display:
View by Default:
Browse Bar: