Mitylene

MITYLENE was the chief town of Lesbos on its E. coast, subsequently giving its name to the whole island. It was one of the early Aeolian colonies, and one of the earliest homes of Greek lyric poetry?the birthplace of Sappho and Alcaeus. It attained great naval power, and founded colonies such as Sigeum and Assos. It took a prominent part in the Ionian revolt, but helped Xerxes against Greece. It joined the Athenian alliance, but revolted in 428 BC and was nearly annihilated. After opposing Rome in the Mithridatic War, it was made a free city. It has belonged to the Turks since AD 1462. Its mention in Ac.20.l4 is merely incidental; St. Paul's ship spent a night there. [Article: Dictionary of the Bible, J.Hastings, 2nd Ed., T&T.Clark, 1963 - A.E.H.]