Chalcédoine

Chalcédoine (in Greek old Χαλκηδών / Khalkêdôn ) is a Greek Cité of Bithynie (currently in Turkey), located on the Eastern entry of the Euxine Sea, vis-a-vis Byzance and in the south of Chrysopolis (Scutari, currently Üsküdar). The Turkish city of Kadıköy is located today on the site of Chalcédoine, in the prolongation of Üsküdar.

Situation

Pline Old the (V, 32) considers its distance at Byzance, later on founded, at 7 stages (either approximately 1242 m, a stage is equivalent to 177,6 meters). Polybe for its part fixes it at 14 stages (approximately 2484 m). Its localization, considered to be less favorable than that of Byzance, has excited the comments of the Greek historians. Hérodote (IV, 144) pays as follows:

“A word of this Mégabyse made its name immortal among the inhabitants of Hellespont. Being in Byzance, he learned that Chalcédoniens had built their city seventeen years before the Byzantines had founded theirs. On top, he says that they were undoubtedly then blind, since, without that, they would not have chosen for their city an unpleasant situation, when he presented himself some more beautiful. ”

Polybe also explains (IV, 44):

“Atteindre Chalcédoine by sea is a difficult company, while the current carries you, gladly badly liking, towards Byzance. Here is a proof: when, coming from Chalcédoine, one moves towards Byzance, it is impossible to sail in right-hand side line because of the current which crosses the strait. It is initially necessary to skirt the side until Bous and at the place called Chrysopolis. From there only, one lets oneself go in the direction of the current, and one is involved irresistibly towards Byzance. ”

Today, the district of Istanbul having for name Kadıköy occupies the site of Chalcédoine.

History

It is founded in 685 av. J. - C. like colony of Mégare. The city is then taken by the satrap Otanes (Hérodote, V, 26), after the forwarding of Darius I {{er}} against the Scythes. It is of Chalcédoine that share, at the beginning of the medic Guerres, the bridge of boats established to invade Greece.

During the Peloponnesian War, Chalcédoine accommodates Lamachos, one of the three Stratège S sent in the Hellespont to perceive the tribute of the Ligue of Délos (Thucydide, IV, 25,2). However, the city changes then camp, and accommodates a Harmoste and a garrison Spartans. Alcibiade besieges it in 410 av. J. - C., and demolishes the satrap Pharnabaze run to defend the city.

At second century BC, it falls under the cut from the kingdom from Bithynie and in 145, its inhabitants are constrained to leave for Nicomédie.

The city returns to the Roman Empire after Attale III, king of Pergame bequeaths to him its kingdom in 133 av. J. - C.

It forms part, with the remainder of the kingdom of Bithynie, the legacy of Nicomède IV with the Roman Empire in 74 av. J. - C. It undergoes the invasion of Mithridate VI, which is then driven out by Lucullus. Again in the bosom of the Roman Empire, it becomes again a free city.

Chaclédoine accommodates the ecumenical fourth council Christian in 451 a. J. - C., the Concile of Chalcédoine. It is old évêché.

Chosroès II, king of the Sassanides, besieges the city in 602 and seizes some to avenge the murder for his/her friend Maurice Tibère; he then threatens directly Constantinople directed by Phocas.

Another significance

The Calcédoine S (mineral) are also a variety of quartz.

Sources

(IV, 85; V, 26);
( Alcibiade , XXX, 1; XXXI, 1; Lucullus , VIII, 2; IX, 1);
(IV, 75,2).

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