Phanagoria

Phanagoria was the largest ancient Greek city on Russia's Taman Peninsula, founded in 543 BC by Teian colonists fleeing Persian king Cyrus the Great. It served as the eastern capital of the Bosporan Kingdom and a major emporium for trade between the Maeotian coast and the Caucasus. The site spans over 60 hectares with archaeological layers six to seven metres deep, roughly one-third now submerged. Recent discoveries include one of the world's oldest synagogues (2023) and the palace of Mithridates VI (2009).