BARTAN

bartan, more correctly bartin, a town in the vilayet of kastamuni, asiatic turkey, retaining the name of the ancient village parthenia and situated near the mouth of the bartan-su (anc. _parthenius_), which formed part of the boundary between bithynia and paphlagonia. various aetiological explanations of the name parthenius were given by the ancients, _e.g._ that the maiden artemis hunted on its banks, or that the flow of its waters was gentle and maiden-like. the town, which is the residence of a _kaimakam,_ is built on two low limestone hills and its streets are paved with limestone blocks. it is noted for the fine boxwood grown in the vicinity, is a port of call for black sea coasting steamers and carries on a considerable trade with constantinople which might be increased were it not for the obstruction of the harbour by a bar. pop. 8677, according to cuinet, _la turquie d'asie_ (1894).