Podandus

PODANDUS (Ποδανδός, Basil. Ep. 74, 75; It. Anton. p. 145; ἡ Ποδενδός, Const. Porphyr. de Them. 1. p. 19, Bonn; Ποδανδεύς, Const. Porphyr. Vit. Basil. 100.36; Opodanda, It. Hieros. p. 578), a town of Cappadocia distant 16 Roman miles from Faustinopolis, according to the Antonine Itinerary (l. c.), but 23 according to the Jerusalem Itinerary (l. c.). It was situated near the Pylae Ciliciae. It is frequently mentioned by the Byzantine writers, and is said to have taken its name from a small stream which flowed near it. (Constant. Porphyr. Vit. Basil. 100.36; Cedren. p. 575; Joann. Scylitz. pp. 829, 844.) It is described by Basil as a most miserable place. Figure to yourself,h e says, a Laconian Ceada, a Charonium breathing forth pestilential vapours; you will then have an idea of the wretchedness of Podandus,( Ep. 74.) It is still called Podend. (Cramer, Asia Minor, vol. 2. p. 134.)