Iberia
(
Ἰβηρία).
1.
A country of Asia, bounded on the west by Colchis, on the north by Mount Caucasus, on the
east by Albania, and on the south by Armenia. It answers now to Georgia, the country of the
Gurians, etc. The Cyrus (Kûr) flowed through Iberia. Ptolemy enumerates several
towns of this country, such as Agiuna, Vasaeda, Varica, etc. The Iberians were allies of
Mithridates, and were therefore attacked by Pompey, who defeated them in a great battle, and
took many prisoners. Plutarch makes the number of slain to have been not less than 9000, and
that of the prisoners 10,000.
2.
One of the ancient names of Spain, derived from the river Iberus. See
Hispania.