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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 Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra, modern-day Corfu. Located around a natural rocky harbor surrounded by inland swamps and high cliffs on the seaward side, the city was difficult to attack from land or sea. After the decisive defeat of the Illyrians to Rome in 229 B.C., the new Roman rulers renamed the city Dyrrachium because Epidamnos is similar to the Latin word damnum, meaning "loss" or "harm." Dyrrhachion is Greek for "bad spine" or "difficult ridge," probably referring to the imposing cliffs near the city. Dyrrachium prospered under Roman rule and was developed as 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).GS13947. Silver drachm, Ceka 304; BMC Thessaly p. 68, 39; HGC 3.1 40, nice VF, Dyrrhachium (Durrës, Albania) mint, weight 2.916g, maximum diameter 19.8mm, die axis 180o, c. 229 - 30 B.C.; obverse MANTXATANTΣ, cow right, head turned back toward suckling calf left, club left, trident in exergue; reverse ΔYP - API-ΣTO-MAXOY, double stellate pattern within double linear square with sides curved inward; SOLD
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