Germa (Galatia)

Germa (Greek Γέρμα) or Germokoloneia (Γερμοκολώνεια, from Latin Colonia Iulia Augusta Felix Germenorum) was an ancient and Byzantine city in the Roman province of Galatia Secunda. The Byzantine writer Theophanes informs us that at a later period Germa took the name of Myriangeli.[1] The few archaeological remains lie close to present-day Babadat in Eskişehir Province, Turkey.[2][3]

Aurea of Germa bearing head of Augustus

When between 25 and 20 BCE Augustus made Galatia a Roman province, he founded Germa as a Roman colony. The city was situated at the point where the road from Ancyra forked, one branch going to Dorylaeum, the other to Pessinus. From the time of Domitian it had a mint. Its Christian bishopric was a residential see until the 12th century and is now, as "Germa in Galatia", a titular see of the Catholic Church.[4]

References

1. Theophanes, Chron. p., 203.
2. Brill’s New Pauly, "Germa, Germokoloneia"
3. Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
4. Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013 ISBN 978-88-209-9070-1), p. 901]

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Germa". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.

External links

• Encyclopaedia of the Hellenic World: "Germa"
• Coins of Germa