Colchis

Colchis, a province of ancient Asia, on the east coast of the Pontus Euxinus or Black Sea, situated north of Armenia and south of the Caucasus. Colchis was famous in Greek mythology as the land of Medea (q.v.) and the goal of the Argonauts (q.v.); afterwards it was better known to the Greeks as the seat of some colonies of the Milesians. It was noted for its wines and fruits. The principal town was Dioscurias; the principal river the Phasis. The Colchians were at one time subject to Persia, and subsequently to Mithridates, king of Pontus, and ultimately passed under the mighty empire of Rome.