Maeonia

• Prop., a district of Lydia; hence, Etruria (settled by Lydians), V.

MAEO´NIA (Μαιονία), an ancient name of Lydia. [LYDIA] There was, also, in later times a town of this name in Lydia, mentioned by Pliny (Plin. Nat. 5.29. s. 30), Hierocles (p. 670), and in the Episcopal Notitia; and of which several coins are extant. Its ruins have been found at a place called Megné, 5 English miles W. of Sandal. (Hamilton, Researches, vol. 2. p. 139.) COIN OF MAEONIA.

(Μαιονία). The ancient name of Lydia. Hence Vergil gives the name of Maeonia to Etruria, because the Etruscans were said to be descended from Lydians. Hence also Homer, as a native of Maeonia, is called Maeonides and Maeonius senex, and his poems the Maeoniae chartae, or Maeonium carmen. (See Lydia.) Maeonis likewise occurs as a surname of Omphalé and of Arachné, because both were Lydians.