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Dyrrhachion, Illyria, Greece, Roman Protectorate, c. 229 - 30 B.C.
Durrës, one of the oldest cities in Albania, was founded as Epidamnos in 627 B.C. by colonists from Corinth and Corcyra. Located around a rocky harbor, surrounded by inland swamps and high cliffs, the city was difficult to attack from land or sea. After its defeat to Rome in 229 B.C., the new rulers renamed the city Dyrrachium. Epidamnos is similar to the Latin damnum, meaning "loss." Dyrrhachion is Greek for "bad spine" or "difficult ridge," likely referring to the nearby cliffs. Dyrrachium prospered under Rome and was made a naval and military base. Pompey made a stand there in 48 B.C. before fleeing south to Greece. Augustus made the city a colony for veterans of his legions following the Battle of Actium, proclaiming it a civitas libera (free town).GS12075. Silver drachm, Ceka 374; BMC Thessaly p. 73, 118; SNG Munchen 433; HGC 3.1 40; SNG Cop -, VF, obverse slightly off center, tiny edge cracks, Dyrrhachium (Durrës, Albania) mint, weight 3.369g, maximum diameter 19.0mm, die axis 0o, c. 229 - 100 B.C.; obverse ΠEPIΓENHΣ, cow right, head turned back toward suckling calf left, head of Isis right above, grain over cluster of grapes right; reverse ΔYP - ΦA-NIS-KOY, double stellate pattern within double linear square; rare; SOLD
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