From Germonassa to Tamatarkha: localization of ancient cities on the Taman Peninsula

Based on the historical evidence of Greek, Roman and Byzantine authors the paper studies the location of ancient colonial cities on the Taman Peninsula. A comprehensive study of geographical objects indicated in ancient documents makes it possible to determine their localization. The routes of sea travel along the Black Sea coast have been studied. The analysis of the mentioned landmarks made it possible to find out the localization of the cities and regions of Phanagoria, Germonass, Sindik, Tamatarkha/Tmutorokan and others. It is concluded that the original Greek colonization of the Taman Peninsula was carried out from the south, and in the Middle Ages the center moved to the shores of the Taman Bay. The proposed article gives a new impetus to the study of the archaeological data of the region under consideration.