The Noarus River in Strabo’s Geography Cover Image

Rijeka Noar u Strabonovoj Geografiji
The Noarus River in Strabo’s Geography

Author(s): Marjeta Šašel Kos
Subject(s): History, Local History / Microhistory
Published by: Hrvatski institut za povijest
Keywords: Sava river; Scordisci; Siscia; Noarus; Strabo Ponticus; ancient geography;hydronymy;

Summary/Abstract: Strabo is the only ancient author who twice mentioned an elsewhere unknown Noarus River near Segestica (close to Siscia, present-day Sisak in Croatia). The Noarus is mentioned in context of the trade route Aquileia–Tergeste–Nauportus–Segestica, therefore rivers that have no connection with the Segestica/Siscia region cannot be considered for possible identification. According to Strabo’s description, the Noarus can best be identified with the lower course of the Savus River, since the Colapis indeed empties into it at Segestica/Siscia, and it indeed flows into the Danuvius/Ister in the region of the Scordisci, at Singidunum (= Belgrade). The identification is also well corroborated by the second passage in which the Noarus is mentioned. Noarus may be an older name for the Savus, or another name (taken from some other language) for this important river, or an older name for its lower course, which was applied to it when the entire course of the river had not been entirely clear.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 15
  • Page Range: 343-352
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Croatian