Nicomedia

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Nicomedia, a Capital City of Bithynia, in the lesser Asia, was in ancient times one of the most important and considerable Cities of the East. It was built by one of the Nicomedes, Kings of Bithynia, who put his Name upon it; and being subdued by the Romans, became the Seat of the Empire, under divers Emperors, A. C. 358. It was wholly destroyed by an Earthquake at the time when the Emperor Constantius was about to hold an Arian Council there. At present this City is called Comidia, and by the Turks Ismid, and is situate near the Coast of the Sea of Marmora, at the bottom of a Gulf to which it gives its Name, upon the side of a little Hill full of Fountains, and Laden with Vines, Corn, and abundance of Fruit-trees. In the City are found a multitude of Greek and Latin Inscriptions, as also many Mosques and Greek Churches of a magnificent Structure. It is inhabited by about 30000 Greeks, Armenians, Jews and Turks, who drive a Trade with Silks, Cottons, woollen and linen Cloth, and other Merchandises. It was to this Place Hannibal retired after his Defeat, and where he poisoned himself, for fear of being delivered to the Romans by Prusias, King of Bithynia. It was one of the first Cities that embrac'd the Christian Faith. Most of the Ships, Saicks and Barks used by the Merchants of Constantinople are built in the Gulf of Nicomedia. On the West of this City is a Mineral Fountain to which the Greeks and Turks repair in great Numbers, and according to their report there is scarcely any Disease which is not cured by it. Grelot Voyage of Constantinople.