Bubon (Lycia)

Cities of ancient Lycia. Red dots: mountain peaks, white dots: ancient cities

Bubon or Boubon (Ancient Greek: Βούβων) was a city of ancient Lycia noted by Stephanus of Byzantium; the ethnic name, he adds, ought to be Βουβώνιος, but it is Βουβωνεύς, for the Lycians rejoice in this form.[1] The truth of this observation of Stephanus is proved by the inscription found on the spot: Βουβωνέων ἡ Βουλὴ καὶ ὁ Δῆμος.

Bubon is located west of ancient Balbura, near Ibecik, as confirmed by modern scholars.[2][3] The city stood on a hill side commanding the entrance to the pass over the mountains.

Bubon is mentioned by Pliny, Ptolemy, and Hierocles. Pliny mentions a kind of chalk (creta) that was found about Bubon. [4]

Bubon, along with Balbura and Oenoanda formed the district of Cabalia.[5]

There is a small theatre built of sandstone and on the summit of the hill was the acropolis.

  1. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium. Ethnica. Vol. s. v. Βούβων.
  2. ^ Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 65, and directory notes accompanying. ISBN 978-0-691-03169-9.
  3. ^ Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
  4. ^ Pliny the Elder, Natural History, xxxv.196.
  5. ^ Pliny the Elder, Natural History, v.101.