CTESIPHON (anc. geog.), a large village, or rather a fine city, of Chalonitis, the most southern province of Assyria. It was situated on the left or east side of the Tigris, opposite to Seleucia on this side; and built by the Parthians, to rival Seleucia. Here the kings of Parthia passed the winter (Strabo); as they did the summer at Ecbatana.
CTESIPHON was also the name of several noted persons of antiquity. 1. An Athenian, who advised his fellow-citizens to crown publicly Demosthenes with a golden crown for his probity and virtue. This was opposed by the orator Eschines, the rival of Demosthenes, who accused Ctesiphon of seditious views. Demosthenes undertook the defence of his friend, in a celebrated oration still extant, and Eschines was banished. 2. A Greek architect, who made the plan of Diana's temple at Ephesus. 3. An elegiac poet, whom king Attalus set over his possessions in Aolia. 4. A Greek historian, who wrote an history of Bœotia.