DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4680#0239
570 XIII. THE BANAZ-OVA.
The Banaz-Ova measures about 30 miles from N. to S., 25 to 35
from E. to W., and 50 from NE. to SW.
The Banaz-Ova is drained by two rivers, the Banaz-Tchai (whose
ancient name was perhaps Senaros), and the Kopli-Su, the ancient
Hippourios. ■ The Banaz-Tchai is more than 70 miles in length from
its source to its junction with the Maeander: it crosses the Banaz-
Ova from north-east to south-west, and receives several tributaries
from Mt. Dindymos (Murad-Dagh) and Burgas-Dagh. The Kopli-Su
has a course of little more than 35 miles, drains a small extent of
country, and except after rains, probably contributes no water to
swell the Maeander. The course of these two rivers has never been
followed: they have been crossed by travellers at a very few points,
where the great roads pass them. In the upper part of their course
they run in channels about the level of the plain: but, as they
approach the middle of the plain, the channels grow deeper, till they
become great canons \ mile or more broad with perpendicular sides,
200, 500, even 900 ft. high. The centre and south of the Banaz-Ova,
being drained by these deep channels, is dry and treeless; but the
soil seems to need only water to render it very productive. The con-
ditions of the district were probably the same in ancient as in modern
time, like the Steppes of southern Russia. The surface was too dry
to favour cultivation, or support trees: it was exposed to the free
sweep of the fiercel north winds in winter and to the parching sun.
The population in the central plain was probably scanty, and few
important cities existed in it. But cities of the third or fourth rate,
and villages, were numerous, especially on the skirts, where the
river-channels are still near the surface and the water-supply more
abundant. Towards E., then, we find the sites of Alia, Sebaste, and
Bria; on N.3 Temenothyrai, Trajanopolis, and the Grimenothyreans ;
on S., Pepouza with its groves of vallonia oaks, and Motella, a mere
village; on W., along the Lydian frontier, and frequently included in
Lydia, are Blaundos, Nais, Klannoudda, Sala, and probably Tralla
and Mysotimolos. Of these, Sebaste, Blaundos, and Temenothyrai
are cities of the second order of importance.
The frontier between Lydia and Phrygia varied at different periods.
The Katakekaumene formed a special district, sometimes called Lydian,
sometimes Mysian, sometimes Phrygian, but throughout the Byzan-
tine period it was definitely included in Lydia. On SW. the frontier
was even more uncertain, and will be discussed in connexion with
the cities.
1 I have never suffered so much from biting winds as in Banaz-Ova in Nov.
1SS1.
The Banaz-Ova measures about 30 miles from N. to S., 25 to 35
from E. to W., and 50 from NE. to SW.
The Banaz-Ova is drained by two rivers, the Banaz-Tchai (whose
ancient name was perhaps Senaros), and the Kopli-Su, the ancient
Hippourios. ■ The Banaz-Tchai is more than 70 miles in length from
its source to its junction with the Maeander: it crosses the Banaz-
Ova from north-east to south-west, and receives several tributaries
from Mt. Dindymos (Murad-Dagh) and Burgas-Dagh. The Kopli-Su
has a course of little more than 35 miles, drains a small extent of
country, and except after rains, probably contributes no water to
swell the Maeander. The course of these two rivers has never been
followed: they have been crossed by travellers at a very few points,
where the great roads pass them. In the upper part of their course
they run in channels about the level of the plain: but, as they
approach the middle of the plain, the channels grow deeper, till they
become great canons \ mile or more broad with perpendicular sides,
200, 500, even 900 ft. high. The centre and south of the Banaz-Ova,
being drained by these deep channels, is dry and treeless; but the
soil seems to need only water to render it very productive. The con-
ditions of the district were probably the same in ancient as in modern
time, like the Steppes of southern Russia. The surface was too dry
to favour cultivation, or support trees: it was exposed to the free
sweep of the fiercel north winds in winter and to the parching sun.
The population in the central plain was probably scanty, and few
important cities existed in it. But cities of the third or fourth rate,
and villages, were numerous, especially on the skirts, where the
river-channels are still near the surface and the water-supply more
abundant. Towards E., then, we find the sites of Alia, Sebaste, and
Bria; on N.3 Temenothyrai, Trajanopolis, and the Grimenothyreans ;
on S., Pepouza with its groves of vallonia oaks, and Motella, a mere
village; on W., along the Lydian frontier, and frequently included in
Lydia, are Blaundos, Nais, Klannoudda, Sala, and probably Tralla
and Mysotimolos. Of these, Sebaste, Blaundos, and Temenothyrai
are cities of the second order of importance.
The frontier between Lydia and Phrygia varied at different periods.
The Katakekaumene formed a special district, sometimes called Lydian,
sometimes Mysian, sometimes Phrygian, but throughout the Byzan-
tine period it was definitely included in Lydia. On SW. the frontier
was even more uncertain, and will be discussed in connexion with
the cities.
1 I have never suffered so much from biting winds as in Banaz-Ova in Nov.
1SS1.