Tios Ancient City is located in the town of Filyos, in the district of Çaycuma, Zonguldak Province. The first archaeological excavations began in 2006. In ancient sources, the city is referred to in Greek as Τίειον, Τίον, Τήϊον, Τίος and in Latin as Tieium, Tium, Tios, and Tieion. Founded as a Milesian colony in the 7th century BC by a priest under the leadership of Tios, the city remained under the control of several kingdoms throughout the Classical and Hellenistic periods. In 70 BC, Tios-Tieion came under Roman rule and experienced its real development during this period. The famous geographer Strabo states that Philetairos, the founder of the Attalid dynasty in Pergamon, was from Tios, and that a tribe known as the Kaukons also lived in the city. Strabo adds that some believed the Kaukons to be of Scythian, some of Macedonian, and others of Pelasgian origin. In addition to the Kaukons, sources also mention another tribe called the Bebryces, who were considered remnants of the Phrygians who came to the region during the Early Iron Age.
