Tyras, a colony of Miletus, probably founded about 600 BC, situated some 10 m. from the mouth of the Tyras River (Dniester). Of no great importance in early times, in the 2nd century BC it fell under the dominion of native kings whose names appear on its coins, and it was destroyed by the Getae about 50 BC. In AD 56 it seems to have been restored by the Romans and henceforth formed part of the province of Lower Moesia.