36°17′56.4″N30°21′17.3″E / 36.299000°N 30.354806°E /36.299000; 30.354806Gagae orGagai (Ancient Greek:Γάγαι) was a town on the southeast coast ofancient Lycia, in what is now theprovince ofAntalya, from which theGagates lapis derived its name.[1][2] The ruins are located inKumluca district,Antalya Province,Turkey. Excavations in 2007 revealed an upper and loweracropolis and evidence ofRhodian colonization.[3]
Several ancient authors (Pliny the Elder,Pedanius Dioscorides,Galenos,Oribasius andAetios) mention "the stone of Gagates" (λίθος γαγάτης,translit.líthos gagátis) as being able to drive serpents away, diagnoseepilepsy, calm the women down in theirhysterias, evacuateworms, ease heart problems and heal thegynaecological diseases. It was also used in jewellery. The stone was found by the estuary of a river called Gages, near to Gagai, and named after the river. It is described as a modernjet stone, which fits perfectly with ancient descriptions. Although it is a form oflignite, containingbitumen andpetroleum, it is not used for heating. However, there has been no evidence concerning the location of Gages River and Gagates mine, though there are suggestions for Gages as it may be the ancient name of the Alakır Çay ("Alakir River") or Gavur Kayı.[4]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Gagae".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
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