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Lampsacus




Originally known as Pityusa or '''Pityussa''', it was colonized from Phocaea and Miletus . During the 6th and 5th Century BC , Lampsacus was successively dominated by Lydia , Persia , Athens , and Sparta ; Artaxerxes I assigned it to Themistocles with the expectation that the city supply the Persian king with its famous Wine .

Lampsacus joined the Delian League after the Battle Of Mycale , and paid a tribute of twelve Talent s, a testimony to its wealth, and it had a Gold coinage in the 3rd Century BC , an activity only available to the more prosperous cities. A revolt against the Athenians in 411 BC was put down by force.

In 196 the Romans defended the town against Antiochus The Great , and it became an ally of Rome; Cicero (''2 Verr.'' i. 24. 63) and Strabo (13. 1. 15) attest its continuing prosperity under Roman rule.

Lampsacus was also notable for its worship of Priapus , who was said to have been born there.