Paphlagonia
in ancient geography, a country of Asia Minor, bounded on the N. by the Euxine; on the S. by Galatia; on the E. by the Halys, which separates it from Pontus, and on the W. by the river Parthenius, which parts it from the Bithynia. Paphlagonia contained seven principal cities, of which Sinope (the capital), Gangra, Amastris, and Sora, were the most important. It is mentioned by Homer, 962 B. C.; was incorporated in the Lydian empire by Cresus, 560-546 B. c.; and in that of Persia by Cyrus, 546 в. c. It was united to Pontus by Mithridates III., 290 в. c.; formed a part of the province of Galaclaimed the Gospel before the proconsul Sergius, and struck the sorcerer Elymas blind.