Fishing and Tuna Trade in Kyzikos

Located on the coast of Propontis, Kyzikos was colonized by Miletus. The most important factor in the colonization of the city was tuna fishing, which is understood to have been an important source of livelihood in the city. However, it is noteworthy that ancient sources have been silent on this issue. During the migration season, tuna fish pass through the narrow passages of the Bosphorus and Hellespont in schools. This migration of tuna fish led to the development of large-scale fisheries in the region. Different from other fisheries, watchtowers were used in tuna fishing. Watchtowers made of wood were placed in places with clear visibility. The sharp lookouts placed here would guide the fishermen waiting in the boats toward the tuna. It is understood that there were public fishing areas and saltpans in Kyzikos. Kyzikos demanded a fee from the fishermen who used these areas. Tuna was the most important industrial activity of the city. However, there are no traces of salting factories or salted fish amphorae in Kyzikos. Epigraphic sources reveal the existence of a guild belonging to fishermen in Kyzikos. Kyzikos is one of the centers where we know garum was produced. Kyzikos oysters have a great reputation as the highest quality oysters of antiquity. Tuna fish, the source of wealth for Kyzikos, was chosen as the city symbol. The depiction of tuna was used on Kyzikos coins for centuries. The uninterrupted continuation of the depiction of tuna shows the importance of fishing in the social life of the city. The depiction of tuna is also found on many city coins. However, the oldest tuna coins were minted in Kyzikos. Kyzikos turned into a rich city by utilizing its fishing advantage due to its location. In this article, data on the place of fish and fishing in the social and economic life of Kyzikos will be discussed based on ancient and modern sources, archaeological, epigraphic, archaeozoological, and numismatic data.