TIBARE´NI
Eth.
TIBARE´NI (
Τιβαρηνοί), a tribe on the coast of Pontus, occupying the country between the Chalybes and the Mosynoeci, on the east of the river Iris. They are mentioned as early as the time of Herodotus (
3.94), and were believed to be of Scythian origin. (Schol.
ad Apoll. Rhod. 2.378, 1010;
Xen. Anab. 5.5. 2;
Scylax, p. 33;
Steph. B. sub voce Τιβαρηνία.) Strabo (
xi. p.527) describes them as inhabiting the mountains branching off from the Montes Moschici and Colchici, and mentions Cotyura as their principal town. (Comp. Xen.
l.c.; Plin. Nat. 6.4.) They appear to have been a harmless and happy people, who performed all their duties in a joyous manner. (Schol.
ad Apoll. Rhod. l.c.; Steph. B. sub voce l.c.; Anon.
Peripl. P. E. p. 12; Pomp. Mela, 1.19.) Their arms consisted of wooden helmets, small shields, and short spears with long points. (
Hdt. 7.78.) Xenophon and his Greeks spent three days in travelling through their country. (Xen.
l.c., 7.8.25;
Diod. 14.30; Dionys. Per. 767; Pomp. Mela, 1.2;
V. Fl. 5.149;
Strab. ii. p.129, vii. p. 309, xi. p. 549, xii. p. 555.)
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