DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4679#0194
168 V. PHRYGIAN CITIES OF THE LOWER MAEANDER.
Serai-Keui, though now the administrative centre, is of very recent
growth ; and the weekly bazaar of the district was held in a large
open space between Haz Keui and Gereli Keui until about forty
years ago, when it was transferred to Serai-Keui1. Such markets held
away from the modern centres of life are always good evidence of
ancient custom ; in some cases they mark the site of an ancient city
now deserted; in others they continue the ancient meeting-place of
a people living in villages without a city-centre. Strabo (p. 341) gives
an example of the former class: Aleision, a city mentioned by Homer,
had ceased to exist, but a market called 'AX-qa-ialov was held near the
site. Kara Eyuk Bazar is the ancient site, but Adji Badem is the
government town, in the territory of Themisonion at Keretapa.
Kayadibi is the Bazar and the ancient site, and Satirlar the govern-
ment town : in the Hyrgalean Plain Kai Bazar is the seat of a weekly
market for the district, but is otherwise absolutely deserted : the same
is the case at Eriza with Ishkian Bazar, and among the Perminoundeis
with Kizil Kaya Bazar2. See pp. 138, 354.
Hardly any ancient remains above the surface are visible at this
site; but in a situation so exposed every stone is liable to be carried
away for more recent buildings. Enough, however, remains in the
neighbourhood to show that this was a considerable centre of ancient
life. The site is about 6 Roman miles from Karoura and 13 from
Laodiceia, which entirely justifies Strabo's account. It is probable
that the name Gereli is a survival of the old word Karou, which has
received a Turkish appearance by the termination -lis. Examples of
such popular etymology are found in all countries where the language
has changed. In the late Byzantine period, when the district was on
the point of passing into Turkish possession, we find that Karia is
mentioned by Nicetas, a native of the district (pp. 523, 655), as a
komopolis or village-centre on the main Highway west of Colossai and
east of Antioch; and we may confidently say that the village of Men
Karou has preserved its name through the Byzantine Karia to the
modern Gereli. The temple of Men, then, was situated near the
western bank of the Kapros ; and as that river was the boundary of
Laodiceia, the temple was naturally closely connected with that city
1 It is a most useful principle for p. 30, A. H. Smith in JHS 1887 p. 221.
ancient topography that a modern town The name is completed as Perminoun-
generally exists in the neighbourhood deis by more recently discovered in-
of a Graeco-Roman town; but the site scriptions Ath. Mitth. 1887 p. 250.
is usually changed. 3 Compare Sivasli Ch. I § 13 for 2e-
2 See Ath. Mitth. 1885 p. 341, ASP (ia<jTih
Serai-Keui, though now the administrative centre, is of very recent
growth ; and the weekly bazaar of the district was held in a large
open space between Haz Keui and Gereli Keui until about forty
years ago, when it was transferred to Serai-Keui1. Such markets held
away from the modern centres of life are always good evidence of
ancient custom ; in some cases they mark the site of an ancient city
now deserted; in others they continue the ancient meeting-place of
a people living in villages without a city-centre. Strabo (p. 341) gives
an example of the former class: Aleision, a city mentioned by Homer,
had ceased to exist, but a market called 'AX-qa-ialov was held near the
site. Kara Eyuk Bazar is the ancient site, but Adji Badem is the
government town, in the territory of Themisonion at Keretapa.
Kayadibi is the Bazar and the ancient site, and Satirlar the govern-
ment town : in the Hyrgalean Plain Kai Bazar is the seat of a weekly
market for the district, but is otherwise absolutely deserted : the same
is the case at Eriza with Ishkian Bazar, and among the Perminoundeis
with Kizil Kaya Bazar2. See pp. 138, 354.
Hardly any ancient remains above the surface are visible at this
site; but in a situation so exposed every stone is liable to be carried
away for more recent buildings. Enough, however, remains in the
neighbourhood to show that this was a considerable centre of ancient
life. The site is about 6 Roman miles from Karoura and 13 from
Laodiceia, which entirely justifies Strabo's account. It is probable
that the name Gereli is a survival of the old word Karou, which has
received a Turkish appearance by the termination -lis. Examples of
such popular etymology are found in all countries where the language
has changed. In the late Byzantine period, when the district was on
the point of passing into Turkish possession, we find that Karia is
mentioned by Nicetas, a native of the district (pp. 523, 655), as a
komopolis or village-centre on the main Highway west of Colossai and
east of Antioch; and we may confidently say that the village of Men
Karou has preserved its name through the Byzantine Karia to the
modern Gereli. The temple of Men, then, was situated near the
western bank of the Kapros ; and as that river was the boundary of
Laodiceia, the temple was naturally closely connected with that city
1 It is a most useful principle for p. 30, A. H. Smith in JHS 1887 p. 221.
ancient topography that a modern town The name is completed as Perminoun-
generally exists in the neighbourhood deis by more recently discovered in-
of a Graeco-Roman town; but the site scriptions Ath. Mitth. 1887 p. 250.
is usually changed. 3 Compare Sivasli Ch. I § 13 for 2e-
2 See Ath. Mitth. 1885 p. 341, ASP (ia<jTih