Nicomedia

Nicomedia, the capital of ancient Bithynia, situated at the north-eastern angle of an inlet of the Propontis, was built in 264 B.C. by Nicomedes I. It soon became one of the most magnificent and flourishing cities in the world, and some of the later Roman emperors, such as Diocletian and Constantine the Great, selected it for their temporary residence. It suffered greatly from earthquakes. Hannibal committed suicide in a castle close by, and Constantine died near the city, which was the birthplace of the historian Arrian. The small town of Ismid now occupies its site. See BITHYNIA for Nicomedes.