Fatih Erhan
Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, Archeology, Faculty Member
- Classical Archaeology, Ancient Roman Numismatics, Ancient Greek Numismatics, Roman numismatics and archaeology, Byzantine Numismatics, Post Medieval Numismatics, and 9 moreMedieval Islamic Numismatics, Ancient History, Classical philology, Classics: Ancient History and Archaeology, Ancient Greek Iconography, Ancient Greek Mythology, Greek Myth, Ancient Greek and Roman Art, and Arkeolojiedit
- Classical Archeologistedit
The tragic story of Marsyas has inspired many artifacts over many periods. This story is depicted in vase paintings, statues, sculpture groups, reliefs, sarcophagi, gems and coins. The inspiration for these descriptions is the Athena and... more
The tragic story of Marsyas has inspired many artifacts over many periods. This story is depicted in vase paintings, statues, sculpture groups, reliefs, sarcophagi, gems and coins. The inspiration for these descriptions is the Athena and Marsyas sculpture group of Myron, one of the Classical Period artists. After this group of sculptures, the artists dealt with and depicted the most tragic part of the Marsyas story, the music competition with the God Apollo and the punishment of Marsyas. Within the scope of the study, first of all, the story of Marsyas and its reflection on artifacts are discussed. Then, the main subject of the study, a coin belonging to Maximinus Thrax I, which was recovered from Tarsus, is unpublished scientifically and dated back to the 3rd century AD, depicting the musical contest between Apollo and Marsyas, is examined in detail. Later, a comparative evaluation is made of the coin and the Marsyas statue, which has the same subject, recovered from Tarsus and is currently exhibited in the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, and a new composition proposal is made for the statue.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Cilicia and Roman coins
In this article, five recently discovered bronze coins were analyzed without any previous scientific publications. First appeared on a web site of an auction house, the coins were minted by the city of Flaviopolis during the Roman Empire... more
In this article, five recently discovered bronze coins were analyzed without any previous scientific publications. First appeared on a web site of an auction house, the coins were minted by the city of Flaviopolis during the Roman Empire Period. The objective of this study is to introduce these coins to the scientific world by examining them in detail.
Founded by Emperor Vespasian in 73 AD, the city of Flaviopolis minted coins between 89 and 254 AD. All five coins are bronze, and were minted in assarion on both sides, the basic currency of cities in the Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. While all coins include the name of the city, it should be noted that these coins are lacking a definitive standard, i.e. nearly all of them include the date, but the value signs and the names of the magistrates are lacking except the coin on Cat. 2. While the diversity of the types of coins is similar to many cities among Cilicia Pedias cities, it is lower than those from the nearby metropolises specifically Hierapolis –Kastabala and Anazarbos. The circulation of the city’s coins is limited to the pedias cities, with relatively medium to low density.
The portrait on the obverse of the Lucius Verus – Athena type coin in Cat. 1 is the 3rd type portrait of the emperor, also known as the imperial portrait. On the reverse, there is a depiction of Athena making an offering. This type first appeared on coins belonging to the Hadrianic period in the region during the Roman Empire Period, and was frequently seen in periods of Marcus Aurelius & Lucius Verus, and most possibly signifies the institutionalized cult of the goddess in the city. The obverse type is new for the city, and the reverse type is familiar from the coins of Marcus Aurelius’ co-emperorship period.
The Geta-Geta type coin on Cat. 2 is the first coin of the city that signifies emperor’s period as a caesar. On the obverse is the Type I portrait of Geta. On the reverse is a figure that is not observed on the coins of other Cilician cities, but has likes on the coins minted in the denarius currency of the empire; hereby we suggest that this figure should be identified as Geta. Also, for the first time, this coin features a new spelling of the name of the city as [ΦΛ]ΑBΙΟΠΟΛЄΙΤ[ΩΝ] along with an abbreviation of the name magistrate. Both obverse and reverse depictions of the coin are new types for both the city and the region of Cilicia.
The Diadumenianus – Tykhe type coin on Cat. 3, is the first coin from the Diadumenian period of the city. On the obverse is a bust, which doesn’t resemble the depictions of the emperor on the coins of other Cilician cities and on the marble portraits. We think that this due to an error related to the lack of skills of the mold master. On the reverse of this and Cat. 4 and Cat. 5 coins, are depictions of the city goddess Tykhe, sitting on rocks while the river god Pyramos (or Savrun) swimming under her feet, which is a scene first appeared on the coins of the city of Tarsos, dated to 164 BC – Roman Empire Period of Cilicia. The origin of this type is the statue made by Eutykhides of Sicyon for the city of Antioch between 296 and 293 BC. While the depiction on the obverse reflects a new type for the city, the reverse type is known from various patterns from the Domitian Period.
There are examples of the Annia Aurelia Faustina – Tykhe type coin on Cat. 4, having the same die on the obverse and different die on the reverse from the same year. The portrait on the obverse must have been produced on the occasion of Faustina’s declaration as augusta in the second half of AD 221. Although there are no new types for the city on this coin, a different, previously unseen pattern appears on the reverse.
While the obverse type of the coin on Cat. 5 with the depiction of Valerianus I – Tykhe, reflects the same year and the same pattern, the type on the reverse is unseen in this imperial period. Considering the date of issue of the coin (253 – 254 AD), the depiction on the obverse must be the portrait of Valerianus I produced on the occasion of his accession to the throne.
Founded by Emperor Vespasian in 73 AD, the city of Flaviopolis minted coins between 89 and 254 AD. All five coins are bronze, and were minted in assarion on both sides, the basic currency of cities in the Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. While all coins include the name of the city, it should be noted that these coins are lacking a definitive standard, i.e. nearly all of them include the date, but the value signs and the names of the magistrates are lacking except the coin on Cat. 2. While the diversity of the types of coins is similar to many cities among Cilicia Pedias cities, it is lower than those from the nearby metropolises specifically Hierapolis –Kastabala and Anazarbos. The circulation of the city’s coins is limited to the pedias cities, with relatively medium to low density.
The portrait on the obverse of the Lucius Verus – Athena type coin in Cat. 1 is the 3rd type portrait of the emperor, also known as the imperial portrait. On the reverse, there is a depiction of Athena making an offering. This type first appeared on coins belonging to the Hadrianic period in the region during the Roman Empire Period, and was frequently seen in periods of Marcus Aurelius & Lucius Verus, and most possibly signifies the institutionalized cult of the goddess in the city. The obverse type is new for the city, and the reverse type is familiar from the coins of Marcus Aurelius’ co-emperorship period.
The Geta-Geta type coin on Cat. 2 is the first coin of the city that signifies emperor’s period as a caesar. On the obverse is the Type I portrait of Geta. On the reverse is a figure that is not observed on the coins of other Cilician cities, but has likes on the coins minted in the denarius currency of the empire; hereby we suggest that this figure should be identified as Geta. Also, for the first time, this coin features a new spelling of the name of the city as [ΦΛ]ΑBΙΟΠΟΛЄΙΤ[ΩΝ] along with an abbreviation of the name magistrate. Both obverse and reverse depictions of the coin are new types for both the city and the region of Cilicia.
The Diadumenianus – Tykhe type coin on Cat. 3, is the first coin from the Diadumenian period of the city. On the obverse is a bust, which doesn’t resemble the depictions of the emperor on the coins of other Cilician cities and on the marble portraits. We think that this due to an error related to the lack of skills of the mold master. On the reverse of this and Cat. 4 and Cat. 5 coins, are depictions of the city goddess Tykhe, sitting on rocks while the river god Pyramos (or Savrun) swimming under her feet, which is a scene first appeared on the coins of the city of Tarsos, dated to 164 BC – Roman Empire Period of Cilicia. The origin of this type is the statue made by Eutykhides of Sicyon for the city of Antioch between 296 and 293 BC. While the depiction on the obverse reflects a new type for the city, the reverse type is known from various patterns from the Domitian Period.
There are examples of the Annia Aurelia Faustina – Tykhe type coin on Cat. 4, having the same die on the obverse and different die on the reverse from the same year. The portrait on the obverse must have been produced on the occasion of Faustina’s declaration as augusta in the second half of AD 221. Although there are no new types for the city on this coin, a different, previously unseen pattern appears on the reverse.
While the obverse type of the coin on Cat. 5 with the depiction of Valerianus I – Tykhe, reflects the same year and the same pattern, the type on the reverse is unseen in this imperial period. Considering the date of issue of the coin (253 – 254 AD), the depiction on the obverse must be the portrait of Valerianus I produced on the occasion of his accession to the throne.
Research Interests: Cilicia and Civic Coins
Not unlike contemporary cities, during antiquity the element that best reflects the identity of a city is its architectural pattern. This has been said, architectural depictions on coins from ancient cities provide us with valuable... more
Not unlike contemporary cities, during antiquity the element that best reflects the identity of a city is its
architectural pattern. This has been said, architectural depictions on coins from ancient cities provide us
with valuable information. One of these cities, Anazarbus, have minted coins between the 1st century BC
and 254 AD. An important group among these coins from Roman Empire Period, displays some architectural depictions of Anazarbus. These images consist of a castle, a city wall, multiple temples, and a monumental gate. These depictions have first appeared on coins in the mid-1st century AD, and have increased
in variety after the mid-2nd century AD. In parallel with the political developments, the depictions reached
their peak during the first half of the 3rd century AD, especially in the Severus Dynasty Period.
According to the depictions on coins, there was a fortress structure on the acropolis in the middle of the
1st century AD. And at the end of the 1st century AD or at the beginning of the 2nd century AD, it is seen
that the acropolis or the lower city was surrounded by a city wall. The earliest temples in the city are possibly
the temples of Zeus Olybris and Aphrodite Kassalitis which probably were standing in the acropolis during
the 1st century BC and began to appear side by side on coins from the mid-1st century AD. Later, after the
mid-2nd century AD, a ten-column temple (Zeus and/or the emperor cult) emerges and continues until the
second quarter of the 3rd century AD. Neocorate temples have emerged during the Severus Dynasty with
fronts of four to eleven columns, and continued to be seen intensely on coins until the mid-3rd century
AD. The temples (Tychaion) devoted to the city goddess (Tyche) have first appeared during the Alexander
Severus Period and are also seen on Maximus depicted coins. Mithras temples (Mithraeum) have emerged
during the period of I. Maximinus (Thrax) and are also seen in Maximus depicted coins. The monumental
gate depiction have appeared on the coins of the Alexander Severus Period.
During the archaeological excavations and surveys carried out in Anazarbus to date, remains of buildings could not be reached other than the temple with ten columns (Zeus and/or emperor cult) and the monumental gate. These monumental structures, which we believe are located in both the acropolis and the flat
settlement area, show that Anazarbus was planned as a typical Roman city. Structures are depicted on coins
as a display of Roman Empire’s propagandist state perception.
In this study, coins with architectural depictions minted in Anazarbus during the Roman Empire Period
are examined. The objective of this study is to introduce these coins to the world of science, and contribute
to the scientific excavations and surveys conducted in the city.
architectural pattern. This has been said, architectural depictions on coins from ancient cities provide us
with valuable information. One of these cities, Anazarbus, have minted coins between the 1st century BC
and 254 AD. An important group among these coins from Roman Empire Period, displays some architectural depictions of Anazarbus. These images consist of a castle, a city wall, multiple temples, and a monumental gate. These depictions have first appeared on coins in the mid-1st century AD, and have increased
in variety after the mid-2nd century AD. In parallel with the political developments, the depictions reached
their peak during the first half of the 3rd century AD, especially in the Severus Dynasty Period.
According to the depictions on coins, there was a fortress structure on the acropolis in the middle of the
1st century AD. And at the end of the 1st century AD or at the beginning of the 2nd century AD, it is seen
that the acropolis or the lower city was surrounded by a city wall. The earliest temples in the city are possibly
the temples of Zeus Olybris and Aphrodite Kassalitis which probably were standing in the acropolis during
the 1st century BC and began to appear side by side on coins from the mid-1st century AD. Later, after the
mid-2nd century AD, a ten-column temple (Zeus and/or the emperor cult) emerges and continues until the
second quarter of the 3rd century AD. Neocorate temples have emerged during the Severus Dynasty with
fronts of four to eleven columns, and continued to be seen intensely on coins until the mid-3rd century
AD. The temples (Tychaion) devoted to the city goddess (Tyche) have first appeared during the Alexander
Severus Period and are also seen on Maximus depicted coins. Mithras temples (Mithraeum) have emerged
during the period of I. Maximinus (Thrax) and are also seen in Maximus depicted coins. The monumental
gate depiction have appeared on the coins of the Alexander Severus Period.
During the archaeological excavations and surveys carried out in Anazarbus to date, remains of buildings could not be reached other than the temple with ten columns (Zeus and/or emperor cult) and the monumental gate. These monumental structures, which we believe are located in both the acropolis and the flat
settlement area, show that Anazarbus was planned as a typical Roman city. Structures are depicted on coins
as a display of Roman Empire’s propagandist state perception.
In this study, coins with architectural depictions minted in Anazarbus during the Roman Empire Period
are examined. The objective of this study is to introduce these coins to the world of science, and contribute
to the scientific excavations and surveys conducted in the city.
The Ancient City of Augusta Augusta is situated in the east coast of the Seyhan River at the Pedias region of Cilicia, overlooking the plain of Adana. The ancient city was dedicated to Livia Drusilla (58 BC–29 AD), the wife of Augustus... more
The Ancient City of Augusta
Augusta is situated in the east coast of the Seyhan River at the Pedias region of Cilicia, overlooking the plain
of Adana. The ancient city was dedicated to Livia Drusilla (58 BC–29 AD), the wife of Augustus (27 BC–14
AD) and the mother of Roman emperor Tiberius (14–37 AD). While coins uncovered at the site provide a
date of 20 AD, earlier foundation of the city is plausible. The existence of coinage shows the importance of
the city during Emperor Tiberius, the founder of the city. While the rise of Augusta continued throughout
the 1st century AD, a decline became apparent between 2nd – 4th centuries AD. After the 5th century, Augusta
became center of diocese indicating the increasing importance and power of the city during the Byzantine
Empire. Augusta must have kept its powerful position until the 8-9th centuries AD until, it invasion by the
Islamic army. While our knowledge about afterwards is full of gaps, the city gone out of the records after
Mamluk conquest of Cilicia.
Pliny the Elder (23 AD–79 AD) refers Augusta as one of the cities in Cilicia, which was founded in consequence
of Romanization policy. Alexandrian geographer Claudius Ptolemy (ca. 90–168 AD) and Stephanus of
Byzantium (6th century AD) both provide information about the city. While Roman and Byzantium sources
mention the city Augusta until the 7th century, textual records go silent after that period.
While Augusta in Cilicia is one of the important sites of the region, the city was submerged under Seyhan River
Dam built at the north of Adana, in 1955. Before the ruins were let to disappear under water, the Directorate
of Ancient Arts of the Ministry of Education appointed Mahmut Akok and his team to document Augusta
within ten days before 5–15 September, 1955. This article presents a summary of Akok’s documentation
along with ancient texts referring Augusta with the aim of attracting scholarly interest to this long-forgotten
city again.
Augusta is situated in the east coast of the Seyhan River at the Pedias region of Cilicia, overlooking the plain
of Adana. The ancient city was dedicated to Livia Drusilla (58 BC–29 AD), the wife of Augustus (27 BC–14
AD) and the mother of Roman emperor Tiberius (14–37 AD). While coins uncovered at the site provide a
date of 20 AD, earlier foundation of the city is plausible. The existence of coinage shows the importance of
the city during Emperor Tiberius, the founder of the city. While the rise of Augusta continued throughout
the 1st century AD, a decline became apparent between 2nd – 4th centuries AD. After the 5th century, Augusta
became center of diocese indicating the increasing importance and power of the city during the Byzantine
Empire. Augusta must have kept its powerful position until the 8-9th centuries AD until, it invasion by the
Islamic army. While our knowledge about afterwards is full of gaps, the city gone out of the records after
Mamluk conquest of Cilicia.
Pliny the Elder (23 AD–79 AD) refers Augusta as one of the cities in Cilicia, which was founded in consequence
of Romanization policy. Alexandrian geographer Claudius Ptolemy (ca. 90–168 AD) and Stephanus of
Byzantium (6th century AD) both provide information about the city. While Roman and Byzantium sources
mention the city Augusta until the 7th century, textual records go silent after that period.
While Augusta in Cilicia is one of the important sites of the region, the city was submerged under Seyhan River
Dam built at the north of Adana, in 1955. Before the ruins were let to disappear under water, the Directorate
of Ancient Arts of the Ministry of Education appointed Mahmut Akok and his team to document Augusta
within ten days before 5–15 September, 1955. This article presents a summary of Akok’s documentation
along with ancient texts referring Augusta with the aim of attracting scholarly interest to this long-forgotten
city again.
Research Interests:
The Tatarlı Höyük excavations located in Tatarlı District in 24 km east of Adana Province, Ceyhan District have started under the directorate of Assoc. Prof. K. Serdar Girginer and still continues today. During excavations between 2007... more
The Tatarlı Höyük excavations located in Tatarlı District in 24 km east of Adana Province, Ceyhan
District have started under the directorate of Assoc. Prof. K. Serdar Girginer and still continues today.
During excavations between 2007 and 2019, 84 coins and one Nuremberg token were found in the citadel
section. Out of these coins 32 were positively identified, while the remaining 52 weren’t, due to
high corrosion. However, possible periods were determined by making use of the trenches in which 52
unidentified coins were found and their dimensions. Based on this, the origins of the captured coins are
as follows: one from the Macedonia Kingdom, 26 from the Seleucid Kingdom, 43 from the Hellenistic
Period (between 2nd and 1st Century BC) city mint, one from the Tarcondimotus Kingdom, six from the
Roman Empire, four from the Antioch Crusader Principality, two from the Cilician Armenian Kingdom,
and one from the Ottoman Empire.
District have started under the directorate of Assoc. Prof. K. Serdar Girginer and still continues today.
During excavations between 2007 and 2019, 84 coins and one Nuremberg token were found in the citadel
section. Out of these coins 32 were positively identified, while the remaining 52 weren’t, due to
high corrosion. However, possible periods were determined by making use of the trenches in which 52
unidentified coins were found and their dimensions. Based on this, the origins of the captured coins are
as follows: one from the Macedonia Kingdom, 26 from the Seleucid Kingdom, 43 from the Hellenistic
Period (between 2nd and 1st Century BC) city mint, one from the Tarcondimotus Kingdom, six from the
Roman Empire, four from the Antioch Crusader Principality, two from the Cilician Armenian Kingdom,
and one from the Ottoman Empire.
Research Interests:
During the ancient times, the city of Anazarbus was situated in the plains of the Cilicia Region which is in present Çukurova today, situated within the borders of Dilekkaya District of Kozan County of Adana Province, and was established... more
During the ancient times, the city of Anazarbus was situated in the plains of the Cilicia Region which is in present Çukurova today, situated within the borders of Dilekkaya District of Kozan County of Adana Province, and was established on the flatlands in the west of the crag that it is named after. Some depictions of the crag and the acropolis can be observed on the coins of the Roman Empire minted by the city between the 1st Century BC and 254 AD. These were first seen on coins from the period of Emperor Claudius (AD 41-54), and later observed on coins from the periods of Emperor Trajan (98 - 117 AD) and Emperor Elagabalus (218 - 222 AD). These depictions constitute the only scientific source that shed light on the appearance of the Anazarbus Crag and Acropolis between the 1st and 3rd Century AD. In this study, crag and acropolis depicted coins minted in Anazarbus during the Roman Empire are examined. Our approach is to reveal the state of Anazarbus Crag during the Roman Empire and its significance for the city.
Keywords: Cilicia, Anazarbos, Coin, Crag, Acropolis, Zeus Olybris, Aphrodite Kassalitis, Neocorate.
Keywords: Cilicia, Anazarbos, Coin, Crag, Acropolis, Zeus Olybris, Aphrodite Kassalitis, Neocorate.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Tarihte Adana ve Çukurova Cilt I. İlkçağ’dan Ortaçağ’a Adana ve Çukurova (Edt: Yılmaz Kurt, Fatih Sansar), Adana, 2016, s. 279-306. Abstract: Adana was an ancient Cilician city, situated in the Çukurova (eastern Cilicia) region on both... more
Tarihte Adana ve Çukurova Cilt I. İlkçağ’dan Ortaçağ’a Adana ve Çukurova (Edt: Yılmaz Kurt, Fatih Sansar), Adana, 2016, s. 279-306.
Abstract:
Adana was an ancient Cilician city, situated in the Çukurova (eastern Cilicia) region on both sides of the river Seyhan (= Saros). The ancient city center is Tepebağ mound in the middle of modern Adana.
In this paper, Adana's political, economic and religious status in Roman period were examined. Adana has been an important city for many civilizations for centuries dating back to the Hittites. In classical times Adana seems to have been first metioned in the 4th century BC by Pseudo-Skylaks who describes the city as a trading centre. Under the rule of the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC) Adana seems to have gained some importance, as it minted municipal bronze coins with the king’s effigy and an offical city name linked to the king.
During the era of Pompey, the city was used as a prison for the pirates of Cilicia. Adana was of relatively minor importance during the Roman’s influential period, while nearby Tarsus was the metropolis of the area. For several centuries thereafter, it was a waystation on a Roman military road leading to the East. After the permanent split of the Roman Empire in 395 AD, the area became a part of the Byzantine Empire.
Key Words: Adana, Cilicia, Roman Period, Tepebağ Mound
Abstract:
Adana was an ancient Cilician city, situated in the Çukurova (eastern Cilicia) region on both sides of the river Seyhan (= Saros). The ancient city center is Tepebağ mound in the middle of modern Adana.
In this paper, Adana's political, economic and religious status in Roman period were examined. Adana has been an important city for many civilizations for centuries dating back to the Hittites. In classical times Adana seems to have been first metioned in the 4th century BC by Pseudo-Skylaks who describes the city as a trading centre. Under the rule of the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC) Adana seems to have gained some importance, as it minted municipal bronze coins with the king’s effigy and an offical city name linked to the king.
During the era of Pompey, the city was used as a prison for the pirates of Cilicia. Adana was of relatively minor importance during the Roman’s influential period, while nearby Tarsus was the metropolis of the area. For several centuries thereafter, it was a waystation on a Roman military road leading to the East. After the permanent split of the Roman Empire in 395 AD, the area became a part of the Byzantine Empire.
Key Words: Adana, Cilicia, Roman Period, Tepebağ Mound
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT According to the given by writers of ancient period, the actual site of Mallos city located in Pedias part of Kilikia region, haven't been determined yet. On the contrary, Magarsus, thought to be the new city centre or a... more
ABSTRACT According to the given by writers of ancient period, the actual site of Mallos city located in Pedias part of Kilikia region, haven't been determined yet. On the contrary, Magarsus, thought to be the new city centre or a secondary settlement of Mallos in the period of Rome and Hellenistic, is located in the Dört Direkli, 4 km west of Karataş town which is 49 km away from Adana. Mallos, according to the ancient geographer Strabon, was established by omniscient priests Amphilokhos and Mopsos of Apollo who came to the region after the Troian War. However, according to another ancient author, Arrianos, state that the city was established by a group of Argos. After the middle of the 5th c., Mallos for the first time began to mint coins in its own name. The city, even if there were discontinuity, continued to mint coins until the period Valerianus I (253-260 AD). Even though there were many studies on the coins of the city, some types belonging to the coins haven't been exactly identified yet because these are studies carried out in catalog form. Accordingly, the goal of this article, in the light of new researches, is to reexamine an re-evaluate the coins mint by the city.
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Anazarbos (Anavarza or Dilekkaya as known in Turkish) was an ancient Cilician city, situated in the Çukurova (eastern Cilicia) region about 8 km. northwest of the Ceyhan River (= Pyramos). The ruins, located within the... more
ABSTRACT
Anazarbos (Anavarza or Dilekkaya as known in Turkish) was an ancient Cilician city, situated in the Çukurova (eastern Cilicia) region about 8 km. northwest of the Ceyhan River (= Pyramos). The ruins, located within the boundaries of the Dilekkaya Village, 30 km south of Kozan township, span an area of 100 ha. at the foot of 220-meter high ridge.
The coins with the ANAZAPBEΩN ethnic from the 1st century BC are the first historical records on Anazarbos and its vicinity. They were issued during the second half of the first century BC, when Tarkondimotos I ruled most of eastern Cilicia. Anazarbos was restored to the son of Tarkondimotos (Tarkondimotos II Philopator) in 19 BC. The city was refounded as a Roman city, Caesarea or Caesarea ad Anazarbum, the same year and subsequent Roman Provincial coins bear an era date starting in 19 BC.
In this article, 22 coins from a private collection, minted during the Roman period in Anazarbos (Domitian 81 - 96 / Valerian I 253 - 260) were examined. Anazarbos served for three centuries as a staging ground for Roman campaigns in the East, and issued a prolific series of Roman coins with commemorative themes, often related to games and imperial visits, up to the middle of the third century. After the capture of Valerian I by Shapur the Great in AD 260, the mint permanently ceased operations.
Key Words: Anazarbos, Cilicia, Roman Provincial Coins
Anazarbos (Anavarza or Dilekkaya as known in Turkish) was an ancient Cilician city, situated in the Çukurova (eastern Cilicia) region about 8 km. northwest of the Ceyhan River (= Pyramos). The ruins, located within the boundaries of the Dilekkaya Village, 30 km south of Kozan township, span an area of 100 ha. at the foot of 220-meter high ridge.
The coins with the ANAZAPBEΩN ethnic from the 1st century BC are the first historical records on Anazarbos and its vicinity. They were issued during the second half of the first century BC, when Tarkondimotos I ruled most of eastern Cilicia. Anazarbos was restored to the son of Tarkondimotos (Tarkondimotos II Philopator) in 19 BC. The city was refounded as a Roman city, Caesarea or Caesarea ad Anazarbum, the same year and subsequent Roman Provincial coins bear an era date starting in 19 BC.
In this article, 22 coins from a private collection, minted during the Roman period in Anazarbos (Domitian 81 - 96 / Valerian I 253 - 260) were examined. Anazarbos served for three centuries as a staging ground for Roman campaigns in the East, and issued a prolific series of Roman coins with commemorative themes, often related to games and imperial visits, up to the middle of the third century. After the capture of Valerian I by Shapur the Great in AD 260, the mint permanently ceased operations.
Key Words: Anazarbos, Cilicia, Roman Provincial Coins
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT This dissertation consists of the analysis of religious depictions on the autonomous and semi autonomous coins minted in Cilicia, during the Antiquity, between 5th century BC (ca. 450) and 3rd century BC (ca. 260). The lack of... more
ABSTRACT
This dissertation consists of the analysis of religious depictions on the autonomous and semi autonomous coins minted in Cilicia, during the Antiquity, between 5th century BC (ca. 450) and 3rd century BC (ca. 260).
The lack of a source that provides a systematic analysis of religious depictions, despite the existence of myriad books, catalogues, and articles on the subject, constitutes the premise of the selection of this topic. In this context, the coins have been analysed chronologically and iconographically in order to explicate the origins and the structure of faith in the region of Cilicia in the Antiquity, through the formations of religious system by the neighbouring regions and foreign administrations.
In conclusion of the study, it has been revealed that Cilicia in the Antiquity was largely under Greek, Persian and Mesopotamian influence during 5th-4th century BC; under Greek influence during 3rd-1st century BC; and partially under Greek / Roman influence during 1st-3rd century AD. Apart from this, local cultures and traces of Anatolia and eastern Mediterranean cultures can also be encountered. Due to the diversity in the coin types, it has been observed that Cilicia Pedias had been further influenced by multiple cultures than Cilicia Trakheia. This point is crucial in terms of the influence of the geographical position of the region upon the religious system.
The coins are the most popular means of propaganda employed by Persians and Roman for the process of acculturation. In these occasions, it has been noted that Persians prefer their own coinage or their adaptations, while Romans prefer the adaptation and syncretism instead of their own coinage.
It appears that cities (barring those at the western Cilician border) maintained a tendency in favor of their independence and their properties.
Key Words: Ancient Cilicia, coin, religious depictions, syncretism, acculturation.
This dissertation consists of the analysis of religious depictions on the autonomous and semi autonomous coins minted in Cilicia, during the Antiquity, between 5th century BC (ca. 450) and 3rd century BC (ca. 260).
The lack of a source that provides a systematic analysis of religious depictions, despite the existence of myriad books, catalogues, and articles on the subject, constitutes the premise of the selection of this topic. In this context, the coins have been analysed chronologically and iconographically in order to explicate the origins and the structure of faith in the region of Cilicia in the Antiquity, through the formations of religious system by the neighbouring regions and foreign administrations.
In conclusion of the study, it has been revealed that Cilicia in the Antiquity was largely under Greek, Persian and Mesopotamian influence during 5th-4th century BC; under Greek influence during 3rd-1st century BC; and partially under Greek / Roman influence during 1st-3rd century AD. Apart from this, local cultures and traces of Anatolia and eastern Mediterranean cultures can also be encountered. Due to the diversity in the coin types, it has been observed that Cilicia Pedias had been further influenced by multiple cultures than Cilicia Trakheia. This point is crucial in terms of the influence of the geographical position of the region upon the religious system.
The coins are the most popular means of propaganda employed by Persians and Roman for the process of acculturation. In these occasions, it has been noted that Persians prefer their own coinage or their adaptations, while Romans prefer the adaptation and syncretism instead of their own coinage.
It appears that cities (barring those at the western Cilician border) maintained a tendency in favor of their independence and their properties.
Key Words: Ancient Cilicia, coin, religious depictions, syncretism, acculturation.