Astacus in Bithynia

Astacus (Greek Ἀστακός "Lobster city " ) was an ancient city in Asia Minor, Bithynia landscape at the eastern end of the gulf named after her of Astacus, now the Gulf of İzmit. The exact location is not known.

According to Strabo Astakos was a colony of Athens and Megara. Memnon of Heraclea writes that the city at the beginning of the 17th Olympiad was ( 712/11 BC) founded by colonists from Megara. Astacus was a member of the Delian Seebunds. Through the acquisition of Athenian colonists ended the independence 435/34 BC

Around the year 405 BC came Astakos by Doidalses under Bithynian rule. Nicomedes I. resettled the inhabitants of Astacus, which had been at least partially destroyed in the war his predecessor Zipoites against the Diadochi Lysimachus, 264 BC. Around the newly founded by him capital Nicomedia, now İzmit

For an equation of the cities Astacus and Olbia missing ancient documents. The claim is based on indirect arguments (pseudo Skylax called Olbia, but not Astacus; Strabo, however, called Astacus, but not Olbia ) and mythology ( according to Stephanos of Byzantium Astakos was the establishment of a homonymous son of Poseidon and Olbia ).

On astakischen Gulf took place the first battle between the army of Dionysos and the Indians, according to the Dionysiaca of Nonnus of Panopolis. Dionysus was winner by transforming the water of the Gulf in wine and so did his opponent drunk. In the mountain forests of the area who told also at Nonno's story of the tragic love of the mountain shepherd hymn is located on Hunter Nikaia.