Morimene

Morimene (Ancient Greek: Μοριμενή) was an ancient district and prefecture (strategia) in the northwestern part of Cappadocia, situated in modern-day Turkey. Located along the banks of the Halys River, the region was historically noted for its significant main city and religious center at Venasa (modern Avanos).[1][2]

Geography

The district was situated on the flanks of the Halys River (modern Kızılırmak). Ancient geographers characterized Morimene by its lack of arboriculture and its suitability for pastoral activities.[3][1] Strabo, in his Geography, notes that while the district of Bagadania to the south produced "hardly any fruit-bearing trees," this characteristic was shared by the "greater part of the rest of the country," specifically highlighting Morimene as a region where such trees were absent.[3] The region was particularly famous for its abundance of wild donkeys or onagers. Strabo records that Morimene, along with Garsauritis and Lycaonia, was a primary grazing ground for these animals.[3][1] Pliny the Elder similarly identifies Morimene as a territory bordering Galatia and notes its reputation for the breeding of wild asses.[4][1]

While historically a core part of the Cappadocian kingdom, its administrative status shifted during the Roman period. Some Roman sources considered the territory to be part of Galatia.[4] The second-century geographer Ptolemy omits Morimene entirely when enumerating Cappadocia's cities and subregions in his Geography.[5][6]

Venasa and the Temple of Zeus

The principal settlement of Morimene was Venasa (also spelled Venessa), which is identified with the modern town of Avanos in the Nevşehir Province.[7] The city was home to the Temple of the Venasian Zeus, one of the most important religious institutions in Cappadocia.[2] The sanctuary at Venasa functioned as a "temple state", possessing a large tract of productive sacred land.[2] Strabo recorded that the temple was served by nearly 3,000 temple-servants (hierodouloi). The high priest of the Venasian Zeus held his position for life and was ranked second in authority and prestige within the Cappadocian religious hierarchy, surpassed only by the priest of Comana. The priesthood provided a significant annual revenue, estimated by Strabo at fifteen talents.[2][8]

See also

  • Chamanene – Area in Turkey during the Roman Empire

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d Smith 1854, p. 372.
  2. ^ a b c d Strabo 1928, p. XII.2.6.
  3. ^ a b c Strabo 1928, p. XII.2.10.
  4. ^ a b Pliny the Elder 1855, p. VI.3.
  5. ^ Ptolemy 1991, Book V, Chapter 4.
  6. ^ Ramsay 1890, pp. 284–285.
  7. ^ Arena 2019, p. 82.
  8. ^ Sökmen 2005, pp. 11, 45.

Sources

  • Arena, G. (2019). Early Christianity in Asia Minor and Cyprus. Brill. ISBN 978-9004410800.
  • Pliny the Elder (1855). The Natural History. Translated by John Bostock. Taylor and Francis.
  • Ptolemy (1991), Nicolaus Germanus; Stevenson, Edward Luther; Fischer, Joseph (eds.), The Geography, New York Public Library, Mineola, N.Y. : Toronto : London: Dover ; General Pub. Co. ; Constable, ISBN 978-0-486-26896-5, retrieved 2026-02-13
  • Ramsay, W. M. (1890). The Historical Geography of Asia Minor. Royal Geographical Society.
  • Smith, William (1854). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. Vol. 2. University of Michigan. London: Walton and Maberly. OCLC 1113265568.
  • Sökmen, E. (2005). Temple States of Pontus: Comana Pontica and Zela. Middle East Technical University.
  • Strabo (1928). Geography, Volume V. Loeb Classical Library. Translated by Horace Leonard Jones. Harvard University Press.
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