Cuma (Aeolis)

Cyme
Κύμη
8th century BC–241 BC
Silver tetradrachm of Cyme, 165–140 BC
Map of Asia Minor showing the location of Kyme
Capital		Kymi
Languages		Aeolic, Ionic Greek
Religion		Greek Polytheism
Government		Tyranny
Historical era		Classical Antiquity
•	Established	8th century BC
•	Colony established	c. 700 – 600 BC
•	Persian Conquest	542 BC
•	Ionian Revolt	499 BC – 493 BC
•	Macedonian Empire	336 – 323 BC
•	Attalid dynasty	241 BC – 133 BC
•	Roman Republic	133 BC
•	Disestablished	241 BC
Preceded by Succeeded by Greek Dark Ages Kingdom of Pergamon

Cyme (Greek: Κύμη or Κύμη Αιολίδας, Cyme of Aeolis) (modern Turkish Nemrut Limani) was an Aeolian city in Aeolis (Asia Minor) close to the kingdom of Lydia.

The Aeolians regarded Cyme as the largest and most important of their twelve cities, which were located on the coastline of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). As a result of their direct access to the sea, unlike most non-landlocked settlements of the ancient world, trade is believed to have prospered.

Both the author of the 'life of Homer' and Strabo the ancient geographer, locate Cyme north of the Hermus river on the Asia Minor coastline, modern-day "Nemrut Limanı"(in Turkish)

After crossing the Hyllus, the distance from Larissa to Cyme was 70 stadia, and from Cyme to Myrina was 40 stadia. (Strabo: 622)

Archaeological finds such as coins give reference also to a river, believed to be that of the Hyllus.

Little is known about the foundation of the city to supplement the traditional founding legend. Settlers from mainland Greece (most likely Euboea) migrated across the Aegean Sea during the Late Bronze Age as waves of Dorian-speaking invaders brought an end to the once mighty Mycenaean civilization some time around 1050 BC. During the Late Bronze Age and early Greek Dark Ages, the dialect of Cyme and the surrounding region of Aeolis, like that of neighboring island Lesbos, closely resembled the local dialect of Thessalia and Boetia in continental Greece.

The colony was founded after the Trojan War by Greeks from Locris, central Greece, who began by reducing the Pelasgian citadel of Larisa near the river Hermus