[4338] Called Gebiseh, according to Busbequis,—at least in his day. The modern Hereket, on the coast, has been suggested.
[4339] Its ruins now bear the name of Izmid, or Iznikmid, at the north-eastern corner of the Sinus Astacenus, or Gulf of Izmid. It was the chief residence of the kings of Bithynia, and one of the most splendid cities in the world. Under the Romans it was made a colony, and was a favourite residence of Diocletian and Constantine the Great. Arrian the historian was born here.
[4340] Now Akrita. It is also called Akritas by Ptolemy.
[4341] The Straits, or Channel of Constantinople.
[4342] Its site is supposed to have been about two miles south of the modern Scutari, and it is said that the modern Greeks call it Chalkedon, and the Turks Kadi-Kioi. Its destruction was completed by the Turks, who used its materials for the construction of the mosques and other buildings of Constantinople.
[4343] So called, Hardouin thinks, from its being opposite to the Golden Horn, or promontory on which Byzantium was built.
[4344] Or Myrlea, mentioned above in C. 40. See p. [490].
[4345] Or Bithynium, lying above Tius. Its vicinity was a good feeding country for cattle, and noted for the excellence of its cheese, as mentioned by Pliny, B. xi. c. 42. Antinoüs, the favourite of the Emperor Adrian, was born here, as Pausanias informs us. Its site does not appear to be known.
[4346] These rivers do not appear to have been identified by the modern geographers.
[4347] The modern Scutari occupies its site. Dionysius of Byzantium states, that it was called Chrysopolis, either because the Persians made it the place of deposit for the gold which they levied from the cities, or else from Chryses, a son of Agamemnon and Chryseis.