Lake İznik (Turkish: İznik Gölü) is a lake in the Bursa Province in Turkey. It is located at around 40°26′01″N 29°31′07″E / 40.433611, 29.518611 and has an area of 290.00 km² and maximum depth of about 80 m. Its ancient name "Ascanius" is derived from Ashkuza, the Assyrian word for the Scythians.
History
In Greek mythology, during the Trojan War the region by the Lake İznik was held by the Phrygians, who sent troops to the aid of King Priam, led by the brothers Phorcys and Ascanius, sons of Aretaon as related in the Iliad.
Ascanius, son of Aretaon, should not be confused with Ascanius (son of Aeneas), and Ascanius (son of Priam), who also feature in legends of the Trojan War.
Lake İznik, as seen from the town of İznik.
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