Methymna

Methymna, also spelled Mithymna (Greek: Μήθυμνα), is the name of an ancient Greek city-state on the island of Lesbos in the northern Aegean Sea. It occupied a position on the island’s northwest coast and gave its name to the Gulf of Methymna. In antiquity, Methymna was one of the principal cities of Lesbos and maintained its own political institutions and coinage during the Archaic and Classical periods. Its relations with neighboring polities, including the city of Mytilene, reflected the broader political dynamics of the island.

During later Greek and into Roman times, Methymna persisted as a settlement, though the political prominence of Lesbos increasingly centered on Mytilene. Archaeological remains from the site include defensive walls and other structures that attest to its ancient occupation and regional role.

In the modern era, the coastal area once associated with Methymna is home to the town of Mithymna, commonly known as Molivos, on the northwest coast of Lesbos. This contemporary town features a well-preserved medieval fortress overlooking the harbor and remains a popular destination for visitors. The ancient name Methymna continues to be used in historical and archaeological contexts, linking the modern locality with its classical heritage.