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Modern Description: A city of Euphratesia, whose current name of Maras (now, properly, Karamanmaras) is that already used in the Hittite period. Originally one of the four main cities of Commagene, it was probably named Antioch-in-the-Taurus by the Seleucids, gaining the title of Germaniceia in the early Roman period. It is mentioned as Germanikeia by Ptolemy (Syria Coele 10) and by Hierokles. It lies at the foot of passes leading across the Taurus to Cappadocia and the north. An important road led south to Antioch. Although Germaniceia is known to have been the place of origin of Nestorius, bishop of Constantinople from 428 to 431, it played little role in the frontier wars with Persia and is not mentioned by Procopius. Theodoret of Cyrrhus confirms that it formed a part of Euphratesia. Given the considerable importance of the city today and its likely role in ancient times as an important staging point for the passes across the Taurus it is surprising that so little is known about it. Some very fine late Roman mosaics have recently been discovered but the building concerned has not been excavated nor is there any publication.(A. Comfort,
Trismegistos Geo: 16736

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(JBK)

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