Cataonia
Asia Minor
in the Greco-Roman period. The classical regions, including Cataonia within CappadociaCataonia (
Ancient Greek: Kαταoνία) was one of the divisions of ancient Cappadocia
.
It is described by
Pyramus, which has its source in the middle of the plain, and also passes through the gaps of the Taurus into Cilicia. The plain is very productive, except that it has no evergreens. Strabo speaks of a temple of Zeus
Dacius, where there is a salt-lake of the considerable extent with steep banks, so that the descent to it is like going down steps; it was said that the water never increased, and had no visible outlet.
The plain of Cataonia contained no cities, but it had strong forts on the hills, such as Azamora and Dastarcum, round which the Carmalas flowed, probably the modern
Cucusus, mentioned in the Antonine Itinerary, is today Göksun
. The inhabitants of Cataonia were distinguished by the ancients from the other Cappadocians as a different people, but Strabo could observe no difference in manners or in language.
References
- Smith, William (editor); Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography, "Cataonia", London, 1854.
Notes
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Cataonia". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.