Note 44 — CHAP. XVII. ARZ-ROUM TO AMASIA.
Reading edition
The Turks in their way have retained so many ancient names, that Neocæsarea may be easily recognised under the name of Niksar.—D’Anville, Geogr. Anc. tom. ii. p. 34. It is interesting as the city and bishoprick of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus; who found there but seventeen Christians, and left there but seventeen Pagans. He resolved to build a church in his city:—“Ce qui n’estoit pas extraordinaire en ce temps la, et on avoit toute liberté d’en bastir sous Philippe, qui commença a regner en 241. Mais celle ci est la premiere dont l’histoire nous donne une connaissance certaine et expresse.”—Tillemont, Memoires Eccles: de VI. Premiers Siecles. Vol. III. p. 329-30.