

Pontus
[Waddington, Babelon, and Reinach, Rec. gén. des Monn. gr. d'Asie Mineure, ‘Pont et Paphlagonie’; Wroth, Brit. Mus. Cat., Pontus, etc.; Imhoof-Blumer, Griechsche Münzen, etc.]
Koinon of Pontus. After the formation of Pontus Galaticus (B.C. 2
and A.D. 1), the towns of this territory probably formed a Koinon Κοινον under
the headship of Amasia. When, in its turn, Pontus Polemoniacus was
incorporated, it formed a new Koinon Κοινον,
of which the capital was Neocaesareia. The two Koina Κοινα afterwards became one, and the coins of the
Koinon Pontou Κοινον Ποντου were struck at Neocaesareia (q. v.). The following were
also probably struck at Neocaesareia: — rev. ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΠΟΝΤΟΥ, Tetra-
style temple, of M. Aurelius, also of L. Verus; with dates reckoned
from A.D. 64-5, the year of the annexation of Pontus Polemoniacus.
(On the Koinon see Rec. gén., p. 25 f.)
»SNG B
Amasia, the birthplace of Mithradates the Great and of Strabo, was
a strongly fortified town on the river Iris. Æ of reign of Mithradates
Eupator (q. v.). Inscr., ΑΜΑΣΕΙΑΣ.
Imperial—Domitian to Severus Alexander. Inscr., ΑΜΑCΙΑC,
usually with addition of various surnames, honorific titles, dates, etc.,
e. g. ΑΔΡ (Hadriana), CЄV (Severiana), ΑΝΤ (Antoniniana), ΑΛЄΞ
(Alexandriana), ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛЄΩC ΠΟΝΤΟΥ, ΠΡΩΤΗC ΤΟΥ ΠΟΝΤΟΥ,
ΝЄΩΚΟΡΩΝ, mostly abbreviated. On a coin of Sept. Severus occurs
the legend ЄΡΜΗC ΚΤΙCΑC ΤΗΝ ΠΟΛΙΝ, showing that Hermes was
revered as oekist. Era begins B.C. 2 (Z. f. N., 1906, p. 342). Types,
A large altar, often burning, with a tree beside it; on or above altar,
victim, eagle, chariot; probably altar of Zeus Stratios (Rec. gén., p. 27;
Cumont, Studia Pontica, 1906, p. 177); View of Amasia (B. M. C.,
p. xvii); Aphrodite and Ares (Imh., G. M., p. 560, No. 3); Tyche; Seated
Hades; Hades and Kerberos (Rec. gén., No. 69).
»WW
»SNG B
Amisus (Eski Samsun), next after Sinope the most flourishing Greek
port on the south coast of the Euxine, was recolonized from Athens,
probably in the middle of the fifth century, and its name changed to
Peiraeeus.
Fourth century B.C. Persic standard.
| Female head in turreted stephane. |
ΠΕΙΡΑ, ΠΕΙΡΑΕ, ΠΕΙΡΑΙ, ΠΕΙΡΑΙΩΝ, Owl on shield. Magistrates’
names and symbols [Rec. gén., p. 44 f.] AR Dr. 86 grs.
|
497
After the time of Alexander, the town issued silver of similar types
but without the town-name (drachms and triobols of Rhodian weight).
Traces of the authority of the Pontic kings are found on these coins, as
in ΒΑ (silissaes σιλισσης) ΛΑ(odikaes οδικης), also on the Æ of the same period (Rec. gén.).
Æ of reign of Mithradates Eupator. Inscr., ΑΜΙΣΟΥ (rarely ΣΑΜΙ-
ΣΟΥ and ΣΑΜΙΣΟΗΣ, Z. f. N., ii. p. 29). In addition to the civic
coinages of Mithradates, described under his name, infra, the following
were struck at Amisus:—obv. Head of Artemis, rev. Quiver with strap;
obv. Head of Dionysos, rev. Cista and thyrsos; obv. Cista and thyrsos,
rev. Panther holding stag’s head; obv. Head of Dionysos, rev. Quiver;
obv. Female head in wolf’s skin (Amazon Lykastia ?), rev. Herakles,
Nike (see Imhoof, G. M., p. 570); obv. Head of Apollo, rev. Roma and
Eirene (?), circ. B.C. 84 (see G. M., p. 569).
In the first century B.C. the Proconsuls of Bithynia, C. Papirius Carbo,
B.C. 61-59, and C. Caecilius Cornutus, B.C. 56 (G. M., p. 562), place
their names upon Æ coins: obv. ΑΜΙΣΟΥ Head of Roma, rev. Roma.
(ΡΩΜΗ) seated on shields holding Nike.
Imperial—Augustus to Saloninus (some quasi-autonomous, G. M.,
p. 570 f.). There are AR from Hadrian to Antoninus, wt. 144, 96,
48 grs. (cf. G. M., p. 572). Inscr., ΑΜΙCΟΥ, nearly always with
ЄΛЄΥΘЄΡΑC added. Types, Athena, Asklepios, Demeter, Dionysos,
Poseidon, Hermes, etc.; Capricorn; Tyche of Amisus placing rudder on
head of Thalassa (Imh., Kleinas. M., i. p. 1, No. 4); River-god ΘЄΡΜΩΔΩΝ (R. N., 1900, p. 126); Temple and altar with mountains
behind (Imh., G. M., p. 571). Era dates from autumn of B.C. 32, at
which time Amisus was freed from its tyrant Straton by Augustus
(Z. f. N., xx. p. 257; Pauly-Wissowa, s. v. ‘Aera’, p. 644; Rec. gén.,
p. 44).
»WW
»SNG B
Cabeira (Niksar), in the valley of the Lycus, was the chief seat of the worship of the god Mên Pharnakou. Æ of reign of Mithradates Eupator (q. v.).
Inscr., ΚΑΒΗΡΩΝ. Circ. B.C. 65 the name was changed by Pompey to Diospolis, and Æ inscribed ΔΙΑΣ appear to have been issued with Mithradatic
types: obv. Head of Zeus, rev. Eagle; obv. Head of Dionysos, rev. Cista and
thyrsos (Imh., G. M., p. 574; but see infra under Dia in Bithynia). In Imperial times it bore the name Neocaesareia. Imperial (see B. M. C.;
Imhoof, G. M.; Rec. gén.) Trajan to Gallienus. Also quasi-auton. of Domitian. Inscr., ΝЄΟΚΑΙCΑΡЄΙΑC; ΝЄΟΚΑΙC; also ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΠΟΝΤΙΥ
(see supra, Koinon of Pontus); ΜΗΤΡΟΠ; ΑΔΡ; ΔΙC ΝΕΩΚΟΡ.
Games, ΑΚΤΙΑ. Era, Oct., A.D. 64. Types, Temple, within which, some-
times, statue, radiate bust, altar. Agonistic table, wreath, etc. Dioskuri standing at altar. Athena (with name of Roman official Aufidius
Umber; Imhoof, Kleinas. M., ii. p. 499). Group of Tyche of Neocaesareia with river-god at her feet and five female figures = the cities
of the Koinon Pontou Κοινον Ποντου with their metropolis Neocaesareia (see B. M. C.;
Imhoof, G. M., p. 578; Rec. gén., p. 86).
»SNG B
Cerasus (Kiresoun), on the coast west of Trapezus. Perhaps the
same town as Pharnaceia (q. v.) (Rec. gén., p. 74 and p. 99). Imperial, Æ
Hadrian to Severus Alexander. Inscr., ΚЄΡΑCΟΥΝΤΙ ΩΝ. Era, Oct.,
498
A.D. 64. Types: Herakles standing; Galley; Seated Goddess with cornucopiae; Pan, etc.
Chabacta, in Strabo’s time, was a dependency of Amisus. Æ of
reign of Mithradates Eupator (q. v.). Inscr., ΧΑΒΑΚΤΩΝ.
»WW
»SNG B
Comana (near Gumenek), on the Iris, called ‘Pontica’ to distinguish it
from the Cappadocian Comana, was famed for its cultus of the goddess
Mâ or Enyo, the high priest of whose temple ranked next in dignity to
the king of Pontus (cf. R. N., 1886, p. 443). Under the Romans the
place bore the additional name of Hierocaesareia.
Æ of reign of Mithradates Eupator (q. v.). Inscr., ΚΟΜΑΝΩΝ.
Imperial and quasi-autonomous—Time of Caligula, obv. Head of Enyo,
rev. ΚΟΜΑΝΩΝ Club (Z. f. N., xx. p. 261, No. 1); Nerva, rev.
ΚΟΜΑΝΩΝ, Club; Sept. Severus and family, Inscr., ΙЄΡΟΚΑΙCΑ
ΚΟΜ ΑΝЄ(ΩΝ), Types; Temple, within which Enyo radiate, standing,
holding shield and club (Z. f. N., xx. p. 262, No. 2); also, Nike in temple.
Era dates from Oct., A.D. 34 (N. C., 1902, p. 2; 1904, p. 101 f.; cf. Rec.
gén., p. 78).
»WW
»SNG B
Gaziura (Turkhal), on the Iris, one of the residences of the kings of
Pontus, but deserted in the time of Strabo (xii. 547). For the silver coins
of the dynast Ariarathes I, struck there, see Kings of Cappadocia. Æ of
reign of Mithradates Eupator (q. v.). Inscr., ΓΑΖΙΟΥΡΩΝ.
»SNG B
Haemilium (?) or AEmilium, known only from coins. Æ of first century B.C. Obv. Head of Tyche of city, rev. Fulmen; above, Crescent and
star; obv. Head of Apollo, rev. Similar. Size .9. Inscr., ΑΙΜΙΛΙΟΥ.
(Z. f. N., xx. p. 271; Rec. gén., p. 26.)
»SNG B
Laodiceia. Modern Ladik, between Amisus and Amasia. Æ of reign
of Mithradates Eupator (q. v.). Inscr., ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΙΑΣ. Types: Aegis,
rev. Nike walking; Head of Ares, rev. Sword in sheath; Head of young
Dionysos, rev. Thyrsos (Z. f. N., xx. p. 263; cf. R. N., 1900, p. 228).
»SNG B
Neocaesareia. See Cabeira.
Nicopolis ad Lycum (near Piourkh, PurgosΠυργος). Founded by Pompey,
circ. B.C. 65, in memory of his victory over Mithradates Eupator (Imh.,
Kl. M., i. 3; Rec. gén., p. 97; Cumont, Studia Pontica, 1906, p. 306).
Imperial—Trajan; Hadrian. Inscr., ΝЄΙΚΟΠΟΛЄWC, and ЄΤΟVC
‘34’ and ‘42’; also ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΤWΝ ΑΔΡΙΑΝ...; cf. C. I. G., 4189.
Types: Zeus seated holding Nike; Nike; Wreath; Serpent on Altar;
Young head, laur. Era, Oct., A.D. 64.
»SNG B
Peiraeeus. See Amisus.
Pharnaceia, on the Black Sea, west of Trapezus (perhaps the same town
as Cerasus; see Rec. gén., pp. 74, 99). Æ, Second or first century B.C.
Inscr., ΑΡΝΑΚΕΩΝ, Bust of Mên, rev. Star (Imh., Kleinas. M., i.
p. 5); Bust of Zeus, rev. Zebu. Also Æ of reign of Mithradates Eupator,
Bust of Zeus, rev. ΑΡΝΑΚΕΙΑΣ, Eagle on fulmen. (According to
R. N., 1900, p. xx, Imperial of Caracalla; cf. Imhoof, op. cit., ii. p. 500).
»SNG B
499
Pimolisa. See infra under Paphlagonia.
Sebasteia (Siwas), on the Halys. Imperial—L. Verus to Valerian.
Inscr., CЄΒΑCΤΗΝΩ, CЄΒΑCΤΙΑC ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛЄΩC. Types: Roma
seated; Demeter. Era begins between B.C. 2-1 and A.D. 1-2, probably
B.C. 2-1. (Imh., Kleinas. M., p. 5; Rec. gén., p. 101.)
Sebastopolis-Heracleopolis (Sulu-Seraï), on the Scylax. Imperial—
Trajan to Gallienus. Inscr., CЄΒΑCΤΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, CЄΒΑCΤΟΠΟΛЄΩC
(Trajan); later, CЄΒΑCΤΟ. ΗΡΑΚ., CЄΒΑCΤΟΠΟ. ΗΡΑΚΑЄΟΠΟ.,
CЄΒΑCΤΟ. ΗΡΑΚΛЄΟΠ. Types: Nearly all relate to Herakles and his
labours; Statue of Herakles in temple, etc. See Imh., G. M., etc. Roman
Magistrate, P. C. Ruso (N. Z., 1891, p. 71). Era dates from B.C. 3
(October). (N. C., 1902, p. 184; 1904, p. 101; Z. f. N., 1906, p. 339; cf.
Rec. gén., p. 102.)
»SNG B
Taulara (Taourla, R. N., 1900, p. 230). Æ of reign of Mithradates
Eupator (q. v.). Inscr., ΤΑΥΛΑΡΩΝ.
»SNG B
Trapezus (Trebizond), on the south coast of the Euxine. The rev.
type of the following coins, a table, is obviously a type parlant (trapezaτραπεζα).
Fourth century B.C. Persic standard.
Male head, with close beard (Hermes ?).
[Num. Chron., 1871, Pl. VI. 3, 4.] |
ΤΡΑ Table, on which bunch of grapes
AR Dr. 88 grs.; Diob. 22 grs., with-
out grapes.
|
Imperial—Trajan to Philip jun. Inscr., ΤΡΑΠЄΖΟΥΝΤΙΩΝ. Era
64 A.D. Types: Hermes, Dionysos, Sarapis, Tyche, etc.; especially
Mithras, who is often represented on horseback: see Imh., G. M., p. 582 f.;
Z. f. N., xx. 266; and Rec. gén., p. 107, for the Mithraeum of Trapezus.
»SNG B
Zela (Zilleh), one of the chief seats of the cultus of the goddess
Anaïtis, the high priest of whose temple was the ruler of Zela and its
territory.
Imperial—A coin of Trajan with ‘Zeus Epikarpios’ is perhaps false
or wrongly attributed (Rec. gén., p. 116). Sept. Severus and family.
Views of temple (of Anaïtis) (B. M. C.; Z. f. N., xii. 308); Male figure
seated holding ears of corn (N. C., v. 185); Ears of corn (Z. f. N., xx. 266);
Two towers and an arcade (Rec. gén., No. 11). Inscr., ΖΗΛΙΤΩΝ ΤΟΥ
ΠΟΝΤΟΥ (abbrev.). Era, 64 A.D.
[Th. Reinach, Trois Royaumes de l'Asie Mineure, and L'histoire parles Monnaies (p. 137 for
genealogy and dates); Wroth, B. M. C., Pontus, etc.; Waddington, Babelon, and Reinach,
Recueil général, p. 9 f.; Von Sallet, Zur Num. der Konige von Pontus u. Bosporus. Berlin, 1866.]
1. Mithradates I, B.C. 302-266, founder of the Kingdom of Pontus. [1]
No coins.
500
2. Ariobarzanes I, son of Mithradates I, B.C. 266? - 255? No coins.
3. Mithradates II, son of Ariobarzanes I, B.C. 255 1-2201
Head of Athena helmeted.
[Reinach, L'hist. p. l. m., p. 131; Tr.
Roy., p. 162; Rec. gén., p. 9, No. 1.] |
ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ Nike
standing holding palm.
|
4. Mithradates III, son of Mithradates II, B.C. 220? - 185?
| Head of Mithradates III, wrinkled,
with close beard. (Fig. 261.)
[Rein., Tr. Roy., p. 166; cf. L'hist.
p. l. m., pp. 131, 132.] |
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ Zeus
seated, holding eagle; in field, star
within crescent (sun and moon), the
symbol of the House of Mithradates,
which claimed Persian descent [R. N.,
1900, p. 229; L'hist. p. l. m., Pl. VI.
2] AR Attic Tetradr.; also Drachm. |
»SNG B
»ANS
5. Pharnaces I, B.C. 185? - 169. Son of Mithradates III.
Head of Pharnaces I. (Fig. 262.)
[Rein., Tr. Roy., p. 168.] |
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΝΑΚΟΥ Male figure
(Pantheistic divinity ?), standing,
facing, wearing spreading hat, chiton,
chlamys and cothurni; holds cornucopiae, caduceus, and vine-branch, at
which a doe beside him nibbles; in
field, star in crescent
AR Attic Tetradr.; Dr.
|
»SNG B
»ANS
6. Mithradates IV, Philopator, Philadelphus, B.C. 169-150? Son of
Mithradates III; married his sister, Laodice V. Philadelphus.
501
Heads of Mithradates IV and Laodice,
r., jugate.
[Rein., L'hist. p. l. m., p. 127.] |
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΙΘΑΔΑΤΟΥ ΚΑΙ
ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΛΑΟΔΙΚΗΙ. ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΩΝ Zeus and Hera standing
facing, each holding sceptre [Paris].
AR Attic Tetradr. |
Head of Mithradates IV, r.
[Rein., L'hist. p. l. m., p. 128.] |
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΟΥ
Perseus (ancestor of the Persian
kings) standing facing, holding harpa
and Gorgon’s head; in field, star in
crescent [Berlin. Paris]
AR Attic Tetradr.
|
»SNG B
»ANS
7. Mithradates V, Euergetes, B.C.; 150? - 120. Son of Pharnaces I ? No
coins known. (Cf. N. C., 1905, p. 117 f.; Bull. Corr. Hell., xxx. p. 47 f.)
Laodice. The following coin has been attributed to the mother of
Mithradates VI, Eupator, who was regent of Pontus, B.C. 120-113. Her
name, however, is not stated by the historians, and the coin may belong
to some other Pontic queen named Laodice (cf. the rev. with the rev. of
the tetradr. of Mithradates IV and Laodice, supra).
Head of Laodice.
[Rein., L'hist. p. l. m., p. 134; Pl.
VI. 5.] |
ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ [Λ]ΑΟΔΙΚΗΣ Hera
standing, holding sceptre [Paris]
AR Attic tetradrachm
|
8. Mithradates VI, Eupator (the ‘Great’), B.C. 120-63. King of
Pontus and Bosporus. Son of Mithradates V.
»WW
»SNG B
»ANS
| Head of Mithradates VI. [Rec. gén.,
p. 13, where varieties without the
mon. of Pergamum, &c., are given.] |
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ ΕΥΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ Stag feeding; in field, crescent and star, and Monogram of Pergamum, where the coin was struck
when Mithradates was resident there;
whole in ivy-wreath
|
Head of Mithradates VI.
[Rec. gén., p. 14 f.] |
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ ΕΥΠΑ.
ΤΟΡΟΣ Pegasos drinking; in field,
crescent and star, and usually a date
(Era beginning Oct., B.C. 297) and
numeral representing the month of
issue; whole generally in ivy-wreath,
ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ sometimes omitted.
AR Attic Tetradrachm
|
502
| Similar; hair more flowing. |
Similar, but type, stag feeding instead
of Pegasos
AR Attic tetradr. (Fig. 263) (Rec.
gén., p. 16 f.).
AR Drachm (Rein., Tr. Roy., Pl.
XI. 3).
|
Holm (Gr. Gesch., iv. p. 724) would connect the introduction of the
stag (of Artemis) with the conquest of Western Asia Minor (B.C. 88).
During the reign of Mithradates a more or less uniform coinage of
bronze was issued in the various cities of Pontus and Paphlagonia,
bearing, however, the name of the city, not that of the king (B. M. C.,
p. xv; Imh., Griech. M., p. 561 f.):—
1. Head of Zeus. Rev. Eagle on fulmen. (At AMASIA. AMISUS, CABEIRA,
GAZIURA, LAODICEIA, PHARNACEIA, PIMOLISA, TAULARA, AMASTRIS, SINOPE,
cf. ABONUTEICHUS.).
2. Head of young Ares. Rev. Sword in sheath. (AMASIA, Amisus, CABEIRA,
CHABACTA, Gaziura, LAODICEIA, PIMOLISA, TAULARA, AMASTRIS, SINOPE.)
3. Head of Athena (as on Athenian tetradrachms). Rev. Perseus standing;
at his feet, body of Medusa. (AMISUS, CABEIRA, COMANA, AMASTRIS,
SINOPE.)
4. Bust of young Perseus. Rev. Cornucopiae between caps of Dioskuri, above
which, stars. (AMASIA, AMISUS, SINOPE.)
5. Head of Mithradates VI as Perseus (Imh., Gr. M., p. 564). Rev. Pegasos
drinking. (Amisus, CHABACTA.)
6. Head of Perseus helmeted. Rev. Harpa winged. (AMISUS.)
8. Female bust in wolf’s skin. Rev. Nike. (AMISUS, SINOPE: see Imh., Gr. M.,
p. 570; Z. f. N., xxi. 218.)
10. Various Dionysiac types. (AMISUS, CABEIRA (Imh., Gr. M., p. 575), LAO-
DICEIA (Z. f. N., xx. p. 263).)
11. Youthful bust (of Mithradates VI) in helmet. Rev. Quiver. (AMISUS
Imh., Gr. M., p. 560; Z. f. N., xx. p. 256.)
On these coins the supposed Persian descent of Mithradates is emphasized by the types relating to Perseus. Dionysiac types are frequent at
Amisus, and the head of the god is often assimilated to that of Mithradates himself (B. M. C., p. xvi); compare the surname of Dionysos
adopted by Mithradates, and the wreath of ivy (cf. Cistophori) on his
tetradrachms.
For his dominions in Bosporus, Mithradates seems to have issued bronze
money only (B. M. C., p. xxx, p. 44 f.; R. N., 1900, p. 128), marked by
his name ΒΑ(σιλεος) Ε(υπτορος) in monogram. Also, probably, thick
bronze pieces, obv. Young head in leather helmet, rev. Star (generally
countermarked: Imh., Gr. M., p. 567). On the connexion of Mithradates
with the coins of Smyrna, Odessus, and Athens, see B. M. C., Pontus,
p. xxvii, and supra, p. 385.
Polemo I. King of Pontus from circ. B.C. 36; king of Bosporus
from B.C. 17, ob. B.C. 9-8. AR Drachm. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΟΛΕΜΩΝΟΣ
ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ. Rev. Pegasos; Star, etc. (von Sallet, Beiträge ... Cimm.
503
Bosporus; Podschivalov, Besehreibung, p. 11; R. N., 1866, pp. 420 ff.;
Rec. gén., p. 19.)
»SNG B
»ANS
Pythodoris, B.C. 8 - A.D. 22-231, widow of Polemo I; queen of Pontus.
AR Drachms. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑ ΠΥΘΟΔΩΡΙΣ. With heads of Augustus
and of Tiberius. Also with obv. head of Pythodoris (Rec. gén., p. 20,
No. 21). Types: Cornucopiae; Capricorn; Scales; Star. (von Sallet,
Beiträge, p. 69; Giel, Kleine Beiträge, p. 12; Reinach, L'hist. par les
monn., p. 143.)
Antonia Tryphaena, B.C. 22-23 ?-A.D. 49?, daughter of Polemo I
and Pythodoris, and mother of Polemo II. AR Drachms, with her son
Polemo, and with portrait of each. ΒΑCΙΛΙCCΗC ΤΡΥΦΑΙΝΗC, ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑ ΤΡΥΑΙΝΑ. (Z. f. N., xx. p. 267; R. N., 1900, p. 131; Reinach,
L'hist., etc., p. 145; Rec. gén., p. 21 f.)
Polemo II, son of Antonia Tryphaena, king of Pontus, A.D. 38-64/5,
and king of Bosporus till A.D. 41. JR Drachms, with head of Polemo H
and heads of Claudius, Agrippina 0), Nero, Britannicus; also with
Tryphaena (q. v.). Inscr., ΒΑCΙΛЄΩC ΠΟΛЄΜΩΝΟC. Dates from Era
beginning Oct. A.D. 38. (Reinach, L'hist., etc., p. 145 f.; B. M. C., Pontus,
p. xxviii, p. 46; Rec. gén., p. 22 f.)
»SNG B
»ANS
[Wroth, B. M. C., Pontus, &c., and the works of the Russian numismatists Burachkov,
Giel, Oreschnikov, and Podschivalov: cf. Koehne, Mus. Kotschoubey; Latyschev, Inscr. ant.
Orae Septent. Pont., Vol. II; Brandis, s. v. ‘Bosporos’ in Pauly-Wissowa.]
The ‘archons’ and ‘kings’ of the Cimmerian Bosporus of the fifth and
fourth centuries B.C., did not issue regal coinages, but the money of their
time must be looked for in the rich civic currency of Panticapaeum
(q. v.). The following regal issues are subsequent to the fourth century B.C.
Paerisades. Head of king, diademed, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΑΙΡΙΣΑΔΟΥ
Athena seated holding Nike. AV stater imitated from the staters of
Lysimachus. Podschivalov assigns the varieties of this coin to Paerisades III, IV, V, VI, who ruled circ. B.C. 280 to B.C. 100 (see B. M. C.,
p. xxix).
»SNG B
»ANS
Spartocus. Head of king, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ [Σ]ΠΑΡΤΟΚΟΥ Bow
in case. AR Attic didrachm. Second century B.C. (= Spartocus IV?,
son of Paerisades) (B. M. C., p. xxix).
»ANS
Leucon II or III. Æ, inscribed ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΕΥΚΩΝΟΣ. Types:
Head of Herakles, rev. Bow and club; Head of Athena, rev. Fulmen;
Shield and spear, rev. Bow in case. Second century B.C. ? (B. M. C.,
p. xxx).
»SNG B
»ANS
The Bosporan coinage of Mithradates VI Eupator, king of Pontus, is
described under his name, supra, p. 502.
504
Pharnaces II, B.C. 63-47, son of Mithradates VI Eupator, struck
AV staters for his kingdom of Bosporus; obv. Head of king, diademed,
rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΝΑΚΟΥ, Apollo with
branch and lyre, seated before tripod (B. M. C., p. xxxi).
»ANS
Asander, B.C. 47 (or 44-431) to 16, issued AV and Æ with inscr.,
ΑΡΧΟΝΤΟΣ ΑΣΑΝ ΔΡΟΥ; also AV with inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΣΑΝΔΡΟΥ; obv. Head of Asander, rev. Nike on prow (B. M. C., p. xxxi).
Also AV of his widow Dynamis, ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΔΥΝΑΜΕΩΣ (Annali
di Corr., 1841, p. 320; von Sallet, Beiträge ... Cimm. Bosp., p. 15).
»SNG B
»ANS
Hygiaenon. First century B.C. Known only from a silver coin reading
ΑΡΧΟΝΤΟΣ ΥΓΙΑΙΝΟΝΤΟΣ (Imhoof, Porträtköpfe, p. 34).
Akas. AV stater, like that of Paerisades, inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΚΟΥ.
Second century B.C. (Imhoof, Porträtköpfe, p. 35).
The later kings of Bosporus who issued coins are as follows :—
Rhescuporis I. A.D. 14-42.
Mithradates. A.D. 42-46.
»WW
Eupator. A.D. 154/5-170/11
»ANS
Sauromates II. A.D. 172 (or 174/5)-210/11.
»WW
»ANS
Sauromates III. A.D. 229/30-232/3.
»SNG B
Rhescuporis IV. A.D. 233/4-234/5.
Sauromates IV. A.D. 275/6.
»ANS
Pharsanzes. A.D. 253/4-254/5.
Teiranes. A.D. 275/6-278/9.
»ANS
Rhescuporis VI (VII?). A.D. 303/4-341/2.
»SNG B
»ANS
The money issued by the above mentioned kings consisted of (i) A
stater coinage. Until circ. A.D. 124, this coinage (by the exceptional
privilege of the Roman Emperors) was of gold (123-120 grains). The
metal, however, deteriorated into electrum, and, finally, through the
stages of billon or potin, passed into bronze. These staters bear on one
side the reigning Emperor’s head (without inscription); on the other,
the king’s head with inscription, e. g. ΒΑCΙΛЄΩC CΑΥΡΟΜΑΤΟΥ.
The staters bear dates of the Pontic Era, Oct. B.C. 297. (ii) Bronze
coinage. The coins bear marks of value Η, ΙΒ, ΚΔ, and ΜΗ = 8, 12, 24,
505
and 48 noummia νουμμια; but there is much variation in size and weight, even in the
case of pieces bearing the same mark of value (B. M. C., p. xxxiv). The
king’s head generally appears on the obverse. Reverse types—Labours of
Herakles (Sauromates II); Aphrodite (?) seated; Temple of Jupiter
Capitolinus; City-gate; Nike with wreath and palm; Ivory chair,
crown, shield, etc., the ΤΕΙΜΑΙ (timai τιμαι)
or marks of honour sent to the king by the Roman Emperor and Senate; King
trampling on captive; etc.
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