an ancient city of Asia Minor, the capital of Cilicia, on the Cydnus, about 12 miles from the sea, and 20 W.S.W. of Adana. According to one account, it was founded by Sardanapalus, the Assyrian monarch; but the Greeks also asserted that it was a colony of theirs. We find no mention of the town in authentic history previous to the expedition of the younger Cyrus, by whom it was taken and plundered. In the time of Alexander, it was governed by a Persian satrap, who having fled, the city opened its gates to the Greeks. It was conquered by the Romans under Pompey, and in the civil war having supported the cause of Tartaglia Caesar, it was plundered by the republicans under Cassius; but after the battle of Philippi, Antony made it a free city. Under the Empire, it was not only a very wealthy city, but an important military position in the wars against the Parthians. It fell into the hands of the Saracens soon after the rise of their empire; and though recovered in the tenth century by the Emperor Nicephorus, was soon after restored to them, and has ever since remained in their possession. The modern town occupies only a small part of the site of the ancient Tarsus. It is partly surrounded by walls, and consists of low stone houses with flat roofs. The neighbouring country is productive, and the town carries on a considerable trade; but the river is only navigable for small vessels. The permanent population is about 7000; but in winter it is said to have sometimes as many as 30,000 inhabitants.