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The measure of Hecatompylos
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 March 2011
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In an article published some 12 years ago, the present writer proposed a location in Iran for the lost Parthian capital named by the Greeks Hecatompylos. This site, called in later days Shahr-i Qūmis, had been located with the help of references given by Apollodorus of Artemita (apud Strabo XI, 9, 1). These describe the Caspian Gates as located 500 stades from the city of Rhagae (modern Ray), and Hecatompylos as a further 1,260 stades beyond the Gates. Since the sites of the first two locations are known, the actual distance of 82 km.
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- Copyright © The Royal Asiatic Society 1981
References
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1 Hansman, John, “The problems of Qūmis”, JRAS, 1968, 111–39.Google Scholar
2 Hansman, John and Stronach, David, “Excavations at Shari-i Qūmis, 1967”, JRAS, 1970, 41, 47;Google ScholarHansman, John and Stronach, David, “Excavations at Shahr-i Qūmis, 1971”, JRAS, 1974, 18–19. Other carbon dates from Qumis not as yet published, confirm these findings.Google Scholar
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