Phasis' is mentioned in Greek, Roman and Byzantine sources, referring to one of the largest and best known rivers, and an associated city, in Colchis on the Black Sea littoral. Lordkipanidze refers to linguistic and archaeological evidence and to legends about the foundation of the city and its gods, in assessing the origins of Phasis and the arrival of Greek colonisers in the 8th century BC. This study throws light on more general relationships between Greek colonies and the existing population and their traditions.