Hyrcanis or Hyrkaneis, also known as Hyrcania ( Ancient Greek: Ὑρκανία), was a Roman and Byzantine-era city [1] and bishopric in ancient Lydia, now in western Turkey. It was situated in the Hyrcanian plain (τὸ Ὑρκάνιον πεδίον), which is said to have derived its name from a colony of Hyrcanians being settled here by the Persians. [2] [3] They were afterwards mingled with some Macedonians, who also settled in this district, whence they are called by Pliny the Elder and Tacitus "Macedones Hyrcani." [4] [5] [6] [7] The city minted its own coins. [8] [9]
Its site is located west of Halit Paşa in Asiatic Turkey, [10] [11] south of Çamlıyurt.
The city was also the seat of an ancient bishopric. Known bishops include:
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Hyrcania". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.