Pitane

PITANE(Πιτάνη: Eth. Πιταναῖος), an ancient city on the coast of Aeolis in Asia Minor, was situated near the mouth of the river Evenus on the bay of Elaea. It was one of the eleven ancient Aeolian settlements, and possessed considerable commercial advantages in having two harbours. (Hdt. 1.149; Scylax, p. 37; Strab. xiii. pp. 581, 607, 614.) It was the birthplace of the academic philosopher Arcesilaus, and in the reign of Titus it suffered severely from an earthquake. (Oros. 7.12; comp. Ptol. 5.2.5; Steph. B. s. v.; Plin. Nat. 5.32, 35.49; Ov. Met. 7.357) The town is still mentioned in Hierocles, and its site is universally identified with the modern Tchandeli or Sanderli. Pliny (l. c.) mentions in its vicinity a river Canaius, which is not noticed by any other writer; but it may possibly be the river Pitanes, spoken of by Ptolemy (Ptol. 3.2.3), and which seems to derive its name from the town of Pitane.
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