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AMYZON (Mazi n Kalesi) Turkey.

In the hills of Caria 15 km NW of Alinda (Karpuzlu). Called by Strabo (658) a peripolion of Alabanda and of less account; mentioned also by Pliny, Ptolemy, Hierokles, and in the Byzantine bishopric lists. In the 3d c. the city was allied first with the Ptolemies, then with the Seleucids; in the 2d c. it concluded an alliance with Herakleia under Latmos. On one occasion it sent a delegation to the oracle at Klaros. The rare coins are Hellenistic and Imperial.

A stretch of the city wall stands 6 m high in excellent isodomic ashlar, and inside it are one or two ruined and unidentifiable buildings, also a row of a dozen large vaulted underground chambers, apparently storerooms. Outside the city is the poorly preserved temple of Artemis, dating from the time of the Hekatomnids, and built on a series of terraces. The temple was in the Doric order, 16 by 5 m, and an architrave block has been found bearing a dedication by Idrieus. The cult, with which Apollo was associated, dates back to the 6th c. The numerous inscriptions found are not yet published.


BIBLIOGRAPHY

L. Robert, CRAI (1953) 403-15.

G. E. BEAN

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