| Image search results - "Istanbul" |
Leo VI the Wise (870 - 912 A.D.)Æ Follis
O: + LEOn bASILVS ROm, bust facing, with short beard, wearing crown with cross and chlamys, holding akakia in left hand.
R: + LEOn/En ΘEO bA/SILEVS R/OMEOn, inscription in four lines.
Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint
8.58g
26mm
SBCV 1729Mat
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1. Thrace, Byzantion, 340-320 BC, AR SiglosHeifer standing left above dolphin, VΠΥ above.
Incuse square of mill-sail pattern.
SNG BM Black Sea 21; SNG Copenhagen 476; Sear GCV 1579.
(17 mm, 5.36 g)
Classical Numismatic Group electronic Auction 146, 23 August 2006, 34.
Standing on the European side of the Bosporos, Byzantion with its twin city Kalchedon on the Asia Minor side of the Bosporos was the ancient gateway between the two continents, a role that continues to the present.
The symbolism of the bull and the heifer on the obverse of the coins of twin cities of Kalchedon (Asia Minor) and Byzantion (Europe) respectively is striking and points to a shared identity. They stood astride the southern entrance to the Bosporus. Both were 7th century BC foundations of Megara and jointly they controlled the vital grain trade from the Black Sea into the Mediterranean.
The grain ear upon which the bull of Kalchedon stands alludes to this fact. That of the dolphin beneath the Heifer of Byzantion is a reflection of the maritime orientation of the city and the bountiful pods of dolphins that even to this day frolic in swift flowing waters of the Bosporus beneath the old city walls of Constantinople which succeded Byzantion and was in turn succeded by Istanbul. n.igma
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2. Bithynia, Kalchedon, 340-320 BC, AR Siglos Bull standing left on grain ear, KAΛX above.
Granulated mill-sail incuse square.
SNG BM Black Sea 112; SNG von Aulock 482; Sear 3738.
(18 mm, 5.31 g).
Ephesus Numismatics.
The symbolism of the bull and the heifer on the obverse of the coins of twin cities of Kalchedon (Asia Minor) and Byzantion (Europe) respectively is striking and points to a shared identity. They stood astride the southern entrance to the Bosporus. Both were 7th century BC foundations of Megara and jointly they controlled the vital grain trade from the Black Sea into the Mediterranean.
The grain ear upon which the bull of Kalchedon stands alludes to this fact. That of the dolphin beneath the Heifer of Byzantion is a reflection of the maritime orientation of the city and the bountiful pods of dolphins that even to this day frolic in swift flowing waters of the Bosporus beneath the old city walls of Constantinople which succeded Byzantion and was in turn succeded by Istanbul.
The twin cities merged in the modern era to become the great and fascinating metropolis of Istanbul. Ancient Kalchedon dominated the Asian side of the Bosporus. The remains of the ancient city lie ben.igma
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ALEXIUS I AE Tetarteron SR- Unlisted DOC 41Monogram of Alexius. Rev Bust of Emperor wearing stemma divitision and jewelled loros of traditional type holds in r. hand jewlled sceptre and in l. gl. cr. 15/17mm
VERY RARE!- Only one known in a major collection located in Istanbul Turkey. DOC mentions and includes the type in the catalog but does not have one in inventory. A key piece for this collection.Simon
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE14, ΣAPΔIANΩN, FMTAE14
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: Second - First Centuries BC
14.00mm 8.60gr 0h
O: NO LEGEND: Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; City ethnic above and below club, within laurel wreath.
Exergue: FMT = Monogram 129.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 14; BMC 18; SNG Cop 472-4; Gokyildirim Istanbul 457; Manisa Museum 10417.
N&N London Auctions/Stefan Asenov Online Auction 20, Lot 158.
7/29/23 8/25/23Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE14, ΣAPΔIANΩN, ΔΔΥAE14
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 133 - 1BC
14.00mm 3.70gr 2h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔIANΩN; Above and below club within laurel wreath.
Exergue: ΔΔΥ Monogram 126
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 5; Gokyildirim Istanbul 462; Glendining April, 1992, Lot 124; VOssen 5817; BMC 1995, 0605, 8.
N&N London Online Auction 4, Lot 173
5/13/22 6/3/22Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE14, ΣAPΔIANΩN, ΠMIPAE14
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 133BC - 14AD
14.00mm 2.80gr 8h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; City ethnic above and below club, within laurel wreath.
Exergue: ΠMIP = Monogram #148.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 40; SNG Cop 480; Gokyildirim Istanbul 477.
N&N London Auctions/Stefan Asenov Green Auction XI, Lot 155.
6/12/23 8/26/23Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE14, ΣAPΔIANΩN, MAPAE14
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: After 133BC
14.00mm 3.10gr 0h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔIANΩN; Above and below club within laurel wreath.
Exergue: MAP Monogram 135
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 20; Gokyildirim Istanbul 449; Paris 1139F; Hunter 9.
N&N London Online Auction 4, Lot 12.
5/13/22 6/3/22Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE14, ΣAPΔIANΩN, RMEAE14
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 133BC - 14AD
14.10mm 4.10gr 0h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔIANΩN; Above and below club within laurel wreath.
Exergue: RME Monogram #154
GRPC Lydia 47; SNG Cop 481; Gokyildirim Istanbul 491 corr.; Johnston Sardis 196 corr.; Johnston Sardis 186.
N&N London Online Auction 2, Lot 64.
4/16/22 6/3/22Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE15, ΣAPΔIANΩN, ΔHMOΦΩN OHBAΔOYAE15
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
2nd - 1st Century BC
Magistrate: Demophonos, son of Thebados.
15.20mm 4.80gr 0h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate, youthful head of Herakles, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔIANΩN; Apollo standing left, holding raven and laurel branch within laurel wreath; beaded border.
Exergue: ΔH-MOΦΩN OH-BAΔOY, left.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 84; Gokyildirim Istanbul 511; SNG Tubingen 3795-6; Hunter 12; BMC 35; SNG Cop 492; SNG Munich 480; Mionnet Supp. VII, 437; Bell Sardes XI, 248-9.
N&N London Auctions/Stefan Asenov Green Auction 1, Lot 149.
9/3/22 9/16/22Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE15, ΣAPΔIANΩN, ΥΓΡAE15
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 133 - 1BC
15.00mm 3.93gr 3h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right.
R: ΣAPΔIANΩN; Above and below club within laurel wreath.
Exergue: ΥΓΡ Monogram 180
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 79; SNG Cop 477; Gokyildirim Istanbul 460; Johnston Sardis 187.
Aphrodite Auctions/Constantino Coia Online Auction 3, Lot 101.
5/2/22 6/3/22Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE15, ΣAPΔIANΩN, ΦMΓAE15
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
2nd - 1st Century BC
14.80mm 4.39gr 7h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; City ethnic above and below club within laurel wreath; beaded border.
Exergue: ΦMΓ Monogram 129
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 14; BMC 18; SNG Cop 472-474; Gokyildirim Istanbul 457; Manisa Museum 10417.
Bucephalus Numismatic Black Auction 4, Lot 398.
9/3/22 10/6/22Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE15, ΣAPΔIANΩN, ΩKΠAΔPAE15
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 2nd - 1st Century BC
14.80mm 4.59gr 7h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; City ethnic above and below club within laurel wreath; beaded border.
Exergue: ΩKΠAΔP Monogram 166.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 62; BMC 20; Mionnet Supp. VII, 429; Johnston Sardes 188; Gokyildirim Istanbul 990.
Bucephalus Numismatic Black Auction 4, Lot 397.
9/3/22 10/6/22Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE15, ΣAPΔIANΩN, ΩMXIAE15
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
2nd - 1st Century BC
15.40mm 3.20gr 1h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; City ethnic above and below club within laurel wreath.
Exergue: ΩMXI = Monogram #174.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 71; Gokyildirim Istanbul 456; SNG Keckman 372.
N&N London Auctions/Stefan Asenov GRren Auction 1; Lot 162.
9/3/22 9/16/22Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE15, ΣAPΔIANΩN, MAPAE15
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 133BC - 14AD
15.00mm 3.66gr 6h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; City ethnic above and below club, within laurel wreath.
Exergue: MAP = Monogram 135.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 20; SNG von Aulock 3125; SNG Cop 470; Hunter 9; Gokyildirim Istanbul 449; Paris 1139F.
Numismad Auctions/Marcin Siliwinski Auction 8, Lot 630.
6/10/23 8/26/23Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE15, ΣAPΔIANΩN, MTPAE15
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 133-1BC
15.00mm 3.42gr 0h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; City ethnic above and below club within laurel wreath; beaded border.
Exergue: MTP Monogram 61.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 25; BMC 12; Lewis 1001; Gokyildirim Istanbul 480.
Art & Coins Auction 7, Lot 91.
9/8/22 10/6/22Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE15, ΣAPΔIANΩN, MTRAE15
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
After 133BC
14.60mm 4.41gr 8h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; City ethnic above and below club within laurel wreath.
Exergue: MTR; Monogram 61.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 25; Gokyildirim Istanbul 480; BMC 12; Lewis 1001.
Olympus Numismatik/Emre Cetin Auction 7, Lot 524.
9/22/23 10/9/23Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE15, ΣAPΔIANΩN, OΔYAE15
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 133 - 1BC
15.00mm 4.27gr 2h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; City ethnic above and below club within laurel wreath; beaded border.
Exergue: OΔY = Monogram 141.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
Fine
GRPC Lydia 32; Winterthur 3909; Righetti Sale IV, 827; Gokyildirim Istanbul 459.
Bucephalus Numismatic Auction 15, Lot 429.
2/11/23 3/15/23Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE16, ΣΑΡΔΙΑΝΩΝ, IVOAE16
Anonymous Civic Issue
Sardes, Lydia
Issued: 133 - 131BC
16.0mm 4.05gr 7h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right.
R: ΣΑΡΔΙ-ΑΝΩΝ; Club and legend within laurel wreath.
Exergue: Monogram, IVO.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
BMC 10ff; GRPC Lydia 17; Gokyildirim Istanbul 486; Arminus Numismatics 5930; Solidus Numismatik Auction 14, Lot 2456.
Added to Wildwinds, June, 2020.
Themis Numismatics Auction 7, Lot 103.
6/27/20 7/17/20Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE16, ΣAPΔIANΩN, IVO AE16
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 133 - 1BC
16.00 x 15.00mm 4.29gr 6h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; City ethnic above and below club within laurel wreath.
Exergue: IVO = Monogram 132.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 17; BMC -; Gokyildirim Istanbul 486.
Demos Auctions/Evren Gezen Auction 15, Lot 63.
1/13/23 3/15/23Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE16, ΣAPΔIANΩN, ΥΓΡAE16
AE
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 133 - 1BC
15.50mm 5.20gr 1h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; Above and below club, within laurel wreath.
Exergue: ΥΓΡ, Monogram 180
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 79; Johnston Sardes 187; Gokyildirim Istanbul 460; SNG Cop 477.
N&N London Online Auction 2, Lot 35
4/16/22 6/3/22Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE16, ΣAPΔIANΩN, ΩMAAE16
Greek Imperial: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 133 - 1BC
16.00 x 15.00mm 4.46gr 2h
O: NO LEGEND; Laureate head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣAPΔI-ANΩN; City ethnic above and below club within laurel wreath.
Exergue: ΩMA = Monogram 169.
Sardes, Lydia Mint
GRPC Lydia 66; Gokyildirim Istanbul 458, 470 and 484 corr.; Mionnet IV, 656; Paris AA GR 12582.
Demos Auctions/Evren Gezen Auction 15, Lot 64.
1/13/23 3/15/23Nicholas Z
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Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE16, ΣΑΡΔΙΑΝΩΝ, ΩΠKEAE16
Civic Issue: Sardes, Lydia
Anonymous
Issued: 133BC - 14AD
16.0mm 3.95gr 4h
O: NO LEGEND; Head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣΑΡΔΙ-ΑΝΩΝ; Club within wreath, city ethnic above and below club; beaded border.
Exergue: ΩΠKE Monogram 172 from GRPC.
VF
GRPC 69; Gokyildirim Istanbul 469; Johnston Sardis 190; Manisa Museum 04270.
Savoca Munich/Claudia Savoca 114th Blue Auction, Lot 262
8/26/21 10/8/21Nicholas Z
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Artemis, (Diana of Ephesus), in her TempleTI. CLAVD CAES AVG. Claudius bare head, facing left. / DIAN-EPHE Cult statue of Diana (Artemis) of Ephesus inside a tetra style temple, set on three tiered base; pediment decorated by figures flanking three windows.
RIC I 118; RPC I 2222; BMCRE 229; RSC 30; Sear Millennium 1839. Ephesus ca. 41-42 AD.
(25 mm, 11.14 g, 6h)
The statue of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Depicted on this coin, which was minted shortly after Claudius’ accession to the throne, there remains no trace of the statue, or the temple that housed it, other than some recently stacked column remnants to mark the location. Pliny The Elder described the temple as 115 meters in length, 55 meters in width, made almost entirely of marble; consisting of 127 Ionic style columns 18 meters in height. The original temple, which stood on the site from about 550 BC, was destroyed by arson in 356 BC. It was rebuilt around 330 BC in the form depicted on the coin, only to be destroyed by the Goths in 262 AD. Again rebuilt it was destroyed for the final time by Christians in 401 AD. The columns and marble of the temple were used to construct other buildings. Some of the columns found their way into the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (Istanbul).
The site of the temple was rediscovered in 1869 by an expedition sponsored by the British Museum, but little remains to be seen today. A Christian inscription found at Ephesus reads Destroying the delusive image of the demon Artemis, Demeas has erected this symbol of Truth, the God that drives away idols, and the Cross of priests, deathless and victorious sign of Christ. This Christian zeal explains why so little remains of the site despite its repute in the ancient pre-Christian world.
This coin is rare with a few dozen examples known. In contrast to most examples, which show a four tiered temple base, the reverse of this coin shows a three-tiered temple base. The rectangles on the pediment of the temple are frequently identified as tables, or altars. However, it is more likely that these are windows in the pediment to facilitate lighting of the statue in the interior of the temple. The Ionic style of the columns, as described by Pliny, is clearly visible in the reverse image.
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BithyniaAs a Roman province, the boundaries of Bithynia frequently varied, and it was commonly united for administrative purposes with the province of Pontus. This was the state of things in the time of Trajan, when Pliny the Younger was appointed governor of the combined provinces, a circumstance to which we are indebted for valuable information concerning the Roman provincial administration. Under the Byzantine Empire Bithynia was again divided into two provinces, separated by the Sangarius, to the west of which the name of Bithynia was restricted.
The most important cities were Nicomedia and Nicaea. The two had a long rivalry with one another over which city held the rank of capital. Both of these were founded after Alexander the Great; but at a much earlier period the Greeks had established on the coast the colonies of Cius (modern Gemlik); Chalcedon (modern Kadıköy), at the entrance of the Bosporus, nearly opposite Byzantium (modern Istanbul; and Heraclea Pontica (modern Karadeniz EreÄŸli), on the Euxine, about 120 miles (190 km) east of the Bosporus.ancientone
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Byzantine Anonymous Follis of Christ, Class A3, Basil II & Constantine VIII, c. 1023 - 11 November 1028 A.D.Bronze anonymous follis, Anonymous follis of Christ, class A3; SBCV 1818; Grierson ornaments 24a, gVF, well centered, excellent portrait detail but nose a bit flat, attractive toned bare metal, a few scratches, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, weight 9.833g, maximum diameter 27.5mm, die axis 180o, c. 1023 - 11 Nov 1028 A.D.; obverse + EMMANOVHL, facing nimbate bust of Christ, two pellets in each arm of the cross, pallium and colobium, holding gospels with both hands, to left IC, to right XC; reverse + IhSuS / XRISTuS / bASILEu / bASILE (Jesus Christ King of Kings), ornaments above and below legend;
The emperor's name and portrait are not part of the design on the Byzantine types referred to as anonymous folles. Instead of the earthly king, these coins depict Jesus Christ, King of Kings.
FORVM Ancient Coins.
*A spectacular artistic portrait of Christ.
*A fine masterpiece of one of the very early portraits of Christ according to Saint Veronica 's Veil, and to the Artist view of Christ from that Veil, with the limited given objects, the Artist smartly chosen the artistic dies, and that is why all Byzantine art is made with artistic faces and objects.
This type of coins, struck for big occasion like Christ birthday and crucifixion, and Imperial inauguration to remind the new Byzantine emperor that there is higher power than his, power of Christ word of LOVE. King of kings, written in Ancient Greek on the reverse of this memorial strike.
+ IhSuS / XRISTuS / bASILEu / bASILE (Jesus Christ King of Kings)
With + EMMANOVHL around Christ on the obverse.
The Sam Mansourati Collection.
Given as a souvenir to a great man, a dear friend and brother Rev. Robert E. Burnock , on 2/18/2020.Sam
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Byzantine Empire, Constans II, September 641 - 15 July 668 A.D.Gold solidus, DOC II-2 Heraclonas 1c (not in the coll., refs. T.), Hahn MIB 3a, Tolstoi 13, Sommer 12.1, SBCV 936, Wroth BMC -, Morrison BnF -; Ratto -, VF, well centered, double strike, some legend weak, light scratches and bumps, 8th officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, weight 4.479g, maximum diameter 20.6mm, die axis 180o, Sep 641 - 642/644 A.D.; obverse d N CONSTANTINYS P P AVG, crowned and cuirassed beardless bust facing, small head, wearing chlamys, crown ornamented with cross on circlet, globus cruciger in right hand; reverse VICTORIA AVGY H, cross potent on three steps, CONOB in exergue.
FORVM / The Sam Mansourati Collection.
In 641, when Heraclius died, he was succeeded by his sons Constantine III and Heracleonas. When Constantine III died after only a few months, the Byzantine people suspected that Heracleonas had poisoned him. Heracleonas was deposed, mutilated and banished. Constans II, the son of Constantine III, became emperor. This type is attributed to Heraclonas in DOC II-2 and Morrison BnF but today it is accepted as the first issue of Constantine II.
Sam
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BYZANTINE, ALEXIUS I AE Tetarteron S- Unlisted DOC 41 CLBC 2.4.11
OBV Monogram of Alexius.
REV Bust of Emperor wearing stemma divitision and jeweled loros of traditional type holds in r. hand jeweled scepter and in l. gl. cr.
Size 16/18mm
Weight 2.3gm
This is believed to be a Thessalonica minted coin, it contains no silver. Grierson believed this coin to be an imitation and Hendy's original catalog mentioned the coin as mythical , a coin had been published a century before but no currently known examples.
By the time DOC IV was published twenty years latter, one was found in the collection of the museum of Istanbul.
My example has now been published in BULLETIN du cercle d'etudeas Numismatiques VOL 52 Jan 2015 by Cedric Wolkow, three examples are shown. This one appears to be in the best condition.
DOC lists the above coin as the only example( Istanbul Museum ) Weight 3.74gm and size at 17mm. Mine is considerable lighter.
Simon
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BYZANTINE, Justinian I, Anonymous Half-Siliqua, Struck at Constantinople (c.530AD), Bendall Type 8cObverse: Helmeted and draped bust of Constantinople facing right.
Reverse: Large K in a pearl border.
S. Bendall made an attempt at the classification and chronology of these types. He accepted the general conclusion that the oldest issues, of very fine style, were struck during the inauguration of the new capital of the empire on May 11th, A.D.330. Bendall, having analyzed the changes in style, suggested that some issues were struck on the anniversaries of the founding of Constantinople in A.D.430 and A.D.530, and that other variants might have been issued during the reign of Justinian I to celebrate the reconquest of Italy.
Atelier : Constantinople (Istanbul en Turquie) - Ref : Bendall Type 8c - Sommer 7.109 (Maurice), Tolstoï 28, 612 - Rare
0,80 g / 13-15 mm - Etat presque Extremely Fine
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Byzantine, Romanus III Gold HistamenonRomanus III Argyrus (12 Nov 1028 - 11 Apr 1034 CE), Gold Histamenon Nomisma, DOC III-2 1d, Morrisson BnF 43/Cp/AV/01, Ratto 1972, Sommer 43.2.2, SBCV 1819, Wroth BMC 2, coronation issue, EF, plain edge, weight 4.45g (AGW 0.1401oz), composition 0.979 Au, diameter 25.0mm, thickness 1.0mm, die axis 180°, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 12 Nov 1028 - 11 Apr 1034 CE; obverse + IҺS XIS RЄX-RЄϚNANTIҺm (Jesus Christ, King of Kings), Christ Pantokrator, bearded, enthroned facing on square-backed throne (Type IIa), with nimbus cruciger, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction and holding Book of Gospels by upper edge on left knee with left, pelleted double border surrounding; reverse ΘCЄ bOHΘ'-RωmAҺω (God-Bearer, help Romanus), MΘ (Mother of God) with macrons above centre, Virgin, nimbate, standing facing on right, wearing pallium and maphorium, raising left hand in benediction and crowning with right Romanus III, bearded, standing facing on left, wearing crown with cross and pendilia, sakkos and modified square pattern loros with four pellets on fold, holding right hand on breast and globus cruciger in left, pelleted double border surrounding; from the Roger Belmar Collection; ex Sovereign Rarities (1 Jan 2022); ex Roma Numismatics e-sale 90 (18 Nov 2021), lot 1497, acquired from European Collection; scarce; £1,200.00.
The image of Christ Pantokrator was one of the first images of Christ developed in the Early Christian Church and remains a central icon of the Eastern Orthodox Church. In the half-length image, Christ holds the New Testament in his left hand and makes the gesture of teaching or of blessing with his right.Serendipity
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Christ PantokratorDetail from the deesis mosaic in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul and histamenon (obverse) of Romanus III Argyrus with Christ enthroned.Serendipity
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Constans II (641 - 668 A.D.)Æ Follis
O:ENTOTO NIKA Contans, long beard (noted on r side of face), standing facing, wearing crown and chlamys, holding long cross In left hand, globus cruciger in right.
R: Large M between ANO and NEOG or similar, star above. In exergue, a officina followed by numerals representing the regnal year, off-flan.
21mm
5.4g
Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 641 - 645 A.D.Mat
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GREEK, Kingdom of Thrace, Lysimachos, 305 - 281 B.C., Portrait of Alexander the Great, Gold staterSH48867. Gold stater, Müller 162; SNG Cop 1086 ff. var. (monogram), EF, weight 8.544 g, maximum diameter 17.6 mm, die axis 180o, Byzantion (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, posthumous, c. 250 - 150 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Alexander the Great right wearing the horn of Ammon; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena seated left, Victory in extended right, resting left elbow on shield, monogram inner left, BY on throne, trident in exergue ornamented with two small dolphins; extraordinary mint luster, high relief, nice style, fantastic coin!Joe Sermarini
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GREEK, Pontic Kingdom, Mithradates VI, c. 120 - 63 B.C., Lysimachos Type, Gold staterSH12093. Gold stater, SNG Cop 1089 var. (monogram), Choice EF, weight 8.232 g, maximum diameter 23.0 mm, die axis 0o, Byzantium (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, c. 100 - 85 B.C; obverse diademed head of Alexander the Great (with the features of Mithradates VI), wearing the horn of Ammon; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena enthroned left, holding Nike and resting left arm on shield, transverse spear against her side, BY on throne, AP monogram under right arm, trident and two dolphins in exergue; fantastic style with superb portrait of Mithradates as Alexander the Great!Joe Sermarini
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Greek, Thrace, Byzantion387 - 340 BC
AR Hemidrachm, 11.6 mm, 1.967 grams 270 degrees
Byzantion (Istanbul) mint
O: Forepart of cow standing left on dolphin left, right foreleg raised, “BU” above (the first letter is an archaic form of "B" used at Byzantium), monogram under foreleg.
R: Ornamented trident head
Ref: cf. Schönert-Geiss Byzantion 773 ff.; SNG BM 17; SNG Cop 484; BMC Thrace p. 94, 22.
Notes: F, toned, tight flan, edge split, perhaps overstruck.
Ex-Forum Ancient Coins, ex-Errett Bishop CollectionVirgil H
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Imperio Otomano - Mehmed II, 2nd reign (855-886/1451-1481)Muhammad b. Murád khán
AE Mangir 13 mm 1.5 gr.
Acuñada: 857 AH / 1453 D.C.
Ceca: Edirne (también llamada por su antigua denominación, Adrianópolis o Hadrianopolis) situada al noroeste de la Turquía europea, no lejos de las fronteras con Grecia y Bulgaria. Adrianópolis cayó en poder de los turcos otomanos, que la convirtieron en su capital bajo el nombre de Edirne hasta 1453, fecha en que fue trasladada hasta la recién caída Constantinopla
Referencias: Valentine #29 - Necdet Kabaklarli, Mangir (Copper Coins of Ottoman Empire), Istanbul, 1998 # 07-Adr-08/18.mdelvalle
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Imperio Otomano - Süleyman I (926-974 AH / 1520-1566 D.C.)AE Mangir 11 mm 1.3 gr.
Anv: Ornamento Floral - Sin Leyenda.
Rev: leyenda "Fulus (Moneda de cobre) tish eyyede (Ayuda exterior) (9)_5(Fecha de acuñación, en este caso único número visible el último 5, Posiblemente la fecha sea 955 AH)". La tradución de la leyenda sería aproximadamente "Los impuestos pagados al llegar al lugar ayuda exterior"??.
Acuñada: 955 AH / 1549 D.C.
Ceca: No conocida
Referencias: Necdet Kabaklarli, Mangir (Copper Coins of Ottoman Empire), Istanbul, 1998 # 10-Z-15 Pag.390 mdelvalle
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Justinian I, 4 April 527 - 14 November 565 A.D.Bronze follis, (SBCV 217), weight 13.8g, max. diameter 30.85 mm, 3rd officina, Antioch (Theoupolis) mint, 527 - 538 A.D. Obv. D N IVSTINIANVS PP AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse large M between two stars, cross above, Γ beneath ( for 3rd officinia), Θ Υ Π O Δ Σ in ex. Olive green patina.
Background Info. courtesy Forvm Ancient Coins;
Joint rule with Justin I (his uncle), 4 April - 1 August 527 A.D.
Justinian I served his uncle, Emperor Justin I, throughout his reign formulating most imperial policy. Recognizing his brilliance, he was rapidly promoted and in the final months of Justin's reign he was made co-emperor. Justinian's sole rule began on 1 August 527 and lasted almost four decades during which he re-conquered much of the empire lost during the preceding century, including North Africa, Italy, and parts of Spain. He is well known for his codification of the legal system. His grand scale building program included St Sophia, which still stands as the centerpiece of modern Istanbul. Unfortunately his ambitious efforts strained the empire's resources and depleted the treasure built by Anastasius. Most of the territory he gained was lost shortly after his death.
In 538, the Persians led by Khosrau I sacked the city of Antioch.
Steve E
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Leo I (457 - 474 A.D.)Æ4
O: D N LEO P F AVG (or similar), pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
R. Lion crouching left, head turned back right, CON (Constantinople) in exergue.
Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint
.84g
RIC X 674, LRBC 2260Mat
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Macedonia, Thessalonica, Otacilia Severa, Touratsoglou 52Otacilia Severa, AD 244-249, wife of Philipp I.
AE 25, 9.41g
obv. OTAKILIA - CEVHRA A
bust, draped and diademed, r.
rev. THECCALO - NIKE - WN NE
Apollo, nude, laureate, stg. l., beside a snake entwinded column, on which he rests his l.
ellbow; in r. hand raised above head holding a laurel-branch turned
downwards behind his head and in the raised l. hand his bow. On the ground l. tripod, on it
price-crown with five apples.
Touratsoglou 52, two spec. in Munich and Istanbul (attr. by Markus)
very rare, F+/VF-
added to www.wildwinds.com
The rev. referres to the Pythian Games which Gordian III has founded AD 240 in Thessalonica. So it should show Apollo Pythias.
Jochen
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Mahmud I Zeri MahbubOttoman Empire, Mahmud I, AH 1143 / AD 1730. Zeri Mahbub (Gold, 18 mm, 2.63 g, 11 h), Istanbul.
Obv: Toughra; small arabesque between two arrows to right, mint and date below.
Rev: Name and titles in four lines.
Reference: KM 222, Pere 555.
Condition: Near extremely fine.
Nomos AG.
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Ottoman AV Sultani Mehmet II 883AH/1478AD QustantaniyyeThe other side of the story. This coin is one of the first coins minted in "Istanbul" by the Ottoman Empire. The coin was minted under Mehmet II who is also known as"The Conquerer" hence his title in Turkish which is Fatih Sultan Mehmet. Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1453AD and consequently the Byzantine Empire fell. This coin is the second series of this type. The first one was minted in 882AH and this one is just one year after it. Before 1477AD there were no Ottoman Gold coins minted in Istanbul, however some coins from other mints circulated there. I chose this coin because it is on exceptional state. A specimen of this coin which was bent, holed cut and very worn has recently sold for 350 Euros. This coin is rare and expensive.Istinpolin
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Ottoman Empire. Murad II (1st reign; 824-848 A.H. = 1421-1444/45 A.D.)Album 1302.3, Sreckovic I 52 (obverse C*x, reverse VI), Pere 59.
AR akçe dated 834 A.H. = 1430/31 A.D., Edirne (formerly Adrianople) mint, 13-14 mm.
Obv: Murad bin / Mehmed Han [= Murad son of Mehmed Han] in upper and lower semicircles, 83 on left / 4 on right [= 834 A.H.], star in center, all within an encircling line and pearl border.
Rev: Hullide Mülkühü [an abbreviated form of Halledallahü Mülkehü used on smaller coins = God protects the ruler’s property] in upper semicircle / Duri be Edirne [= minted in Edirne] in lower semicircle, all within an encircling line and pearl border.
The word “akçe” is derived from the Greek aspron (= white), the name of a Byzantine silver or billon coin, that was current in the region that eventually became the Ottoman Empire. The akçe is therefore sometimes called “asper” in English sources. When this coin was minted, there were 260 akçes per 100 dirhams and the nominal weight of the akçe was 1.18 gr. Pamuk, Sevket. A Monetary History of the Ottoman Empire (Cambridge University Press 2004), Table 3.1 at 46.
References: Album, Stephen A. A Checklist of Islamic Coins (Santa Rosa 1998); Sreckovic, Slobodan. Akches Vol. One, (Osman Gazi – Murad II), 699-848 A.H. (Belgrade 1999); Pere, Nuri. Osmanlilarda Madeni Paralar (Istanbul 1968).
Attribution assistance courtesy of Slobodan Sreckovic and Don RobinsonStkp
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Provincial, Amaseia, Pontus, AE30, AΔP CεY ANT AMACIAC MHT N ΠP ΠO AE30
AE
Roman Provincial: Amaseia, Pontus
Julia Domna
B. ca. 170 - D. 217AD
Augusta: 193 - 217AD
Issued: 205 - 206AD
30.00mm 14.63gr 7h
O: IOYΛIA ΔOMNA CεBACTH; Draped bust, right; beaded border.
R: AΔP C[εY ANT AMACIAC MHT N] ΠP ΠO; Tyche standing left, holding rudder in right hand, cornucopia on left arm; beaded border.
Exergue: εT, left field; CH, right field. = CY 208 = 205 - 206AD
Amaseia, Pontus Mint
Dalaison 300; Paris 123; RecGen 60; Istanbul K-D 1250-1.
Rare. Fine.
Sol Numismatik Auction XIII, Lot 306
5/20/23 6/21/23Nicholas Z
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Roman EphesusIonia, Ephesus, Claudius, 41-54, AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm
TI. CLAVD CAES AVG. Claudius bare head, facing left.
DIAN-EPHE Cult statue of Diana (Artemis) of Ephesus inside a tetra style temple, set on three tiered base; pediment decorated by figures flanking three windows.
RIC I 118; RPC I 2222; BMCRE 229; RSC 30; Sear Millennium 1839. Ephesus ca. 41-42 AD.
(25 mm, 11.14 g, 6h).
The Temple of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Depicted on this coin, which was minted shortly after Claudius’ accession to the throne, there remains no trace of the temple other than some recently stacked column remnants to mark the location. Pliny The Elder described the temple as 115 meters in length, 55 meters in width, made almost entirely of marble; consisting of 127 Ionic style columns 18 meters in height. The original temple, which stood on the site from about 550 BC, was destroyed by arson in 356 BC. It was rebuilt at the direction of Alexander III the Great around 330 BC, in the form depicted on the coin, only to be destroyed by the Goths in 262 AD. Again rebuilt, it was destroyed for the final time by Christians in 401 AD. The marble of the temple was used to construct other buildings. Some of the columns found their way into the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (Istanbul).
The site of the temple was rediscovered in 1869 by an expedition sponsored by the British Museum, but little remains to be seen today. A Christian inscription found at Ephesus reads Destroying the delusive image of the demon Artemis, Demeas has erected this symbol of Truth, the God that drives away idols, and the Cross of priests, deathless and victorious sign of Christ. This Christian zeal explains why so little remains of the site despite its repute in the ancient pre-Christian world.
This coin is rare with a few dozen examples known. In contrast to most examples, which show a four-tiered temple base, the reverse of this coin shows a three-tiered temple base, the same as that found on the Parthenon. The rectangles visible on the pediment of the temple are frequently identified as depictions of tables, or altars attended by flanking figures. However, architectural reconstructions of the temple show these rectangles as windows permitting light into the temple interior, a fact supported by the presence of pediment window frame moldings amongst the remains of other temples from the period in Asia Minor. The Ionic style of the temple’s columns, as described by Pliny, is clearly visible in the reverse image.n.igma
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Romanus III Gold HistamenonRomanus III Argyrus (12 Nov 1028 - 11 Apr 1034 CE), Gold Histamenon Nomisma, DOC III-2 1d, Morrisson BnF 43/Cp/AV/01, Ratto 1972, Sommer 43.2.2, SBCV 1819, Wroth BMC 2, coronation issue, EF, plain edge, weight 4.45g (AGW 0.1401oz), composition 0.979 Au, diameter 25.0mm, thickness 1.0mm, die axis 180°, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, 12 Nov 1028 - 11 Apr 1034 CE; obverse + IҺS XIS RЄX-RЄϚNANTIҺm (Jesus Christ, King of Kings), Christ Pantokrator, bearded, enthroned facing on square-backed throne (Type IIa), with nimbus cruciger, wearing pallium and colobium, raising right hand in benediction and holding Book of Gospels by upper edge on left knee with left, pelleted double border surrounding; reverse ΘCЄ bOHΘ'-RωmAҺω (God-Bearer, help Romanus), MΘ (Mother of God) with macrons above centre, Virgin, nimbate, standing facing on right, wearing pallium and maphorium, raising left hand in benediction and crowning with right Romanus III, bearded, standing facing on left, wearing crown with cross and pendilia, sakkos and modified square pattern loros with four pellets on fold, holding right hand on breast and globus cruciger in left, pelleted double border surrounding; from the Roger Belmar Collection; ex Sovereign Rarities (1 Jan 2022); ex Roma Numismatics e-sale 90 (18 Nov 2021), lot 1497, acquired from European Collection; scarce; £1,200.00.Serendipity
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Thrace, Byzantion, 340-320 BC, AR Siglos Heifer standing left above dolphin, VΠΥ above.
Incuse square of mill-sail pattern.
SNG BM Black Sea 21; SNG Copenhagen 476; Sear GCV 1579.
(17 mm, 5.36 g)
Classical Numismatic Group electronic Auction 146, 23 August 2006, 34.
This coin originates from Byzantion, which together with its twin city of Kalchedon, was founded astride the southern entrance to the Bosporus by 7th century Greek colonists from Megara. The cities controlled the entrance to the Bosporus, the demarcation between Europe and Asia and the access route to the Black Sea. Both cities played a major role in many of the historical events involving the interaction of west and east. They eventually merged into one metropolis astride the Bosporus, modern day Istanbul.
On this coin the first letter of the ethnic above the heifer is an archaic form of the letter Beta used by Byzantion. The latter was situated on the European (western) side of the entrance to the Bosporus and came to control the vital grain trade from the Black Sea region. The dolphin on the obverse of this coin of Byzantion may be an allusion to the maritime significance of the city in the grain trade, or may reflect that the association of the city with the dolphins that today can be seen in large numbers feeding in the rapidly flowing currents of the Bosporus, immediately adjacent to the shore of old Constantinople.n.igma
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Thracia, Hadrianopolis, Septimius Severus, Jurokova 192Septimius Severus, AD 193-211
AE 26, 9.96g, 25.62mm, 45°
obv. AV K L C[EP - CEVHROC P]
Bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, laureate r.
rev. ADR - IANO - [POLEITWN]
Ganymedes, with Phrygian bonnet, stg. l. with crossed legs, holding lagobolon
in l. hand and resting with r. hand on eagle, stg. frontal with head r., on rocks;
r. on ground Pan flute.
Jurokova 920 (1 ex. in Istanbul); Varbanov (engl.) 3348 (citing Jurokova)
extremely rare, F/about VF, black-brown patina
For more information please look at the thread 'Mythological interesting coins'.Jochen
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople)Hagia Sophia (translated holy wisdom).Erected in the 6th Century (the third church at this place) during the reign of Iustinianus I. It was the main church of the byzantine empire. After the conquering of Constantinople by the osmanic turks in 1453 it became a mosque and then since 1935 a museum.
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople) - Halikarnassos mausoleum lionThis is a lion from the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos (now Bodrum Turkey), one of the seven world wonders. Now in the archaeological museum of Istanbul. Behind the lion is a picture of the reconstruction of the building.The building is now nearly completely destroyed.
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople) - Obelisk Thutmosis HippodromEgypt obelisk (from Thutmosis III temple of Karnak 1471 before christ). now on the Hippodrom place (where in ancient times was a horse race-track) in Instanbul, erected under the reign of Theodosius in the year 390 after christ.
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople) - Yerebatan Saray CisternThe cistern was build in the year 542 under the reign of Justinian. It is positioned near the Hagia Sophia museum. The Gorgo (a female monster with serpents instead of hairs- one view can kill) head belongs to an old unknown monument and was used here in this cistern a second time as a base of a column. The cistern consists of 336 columns. But only 2 gorgo heads can be seen in the cistern.
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople) - Yerebatan Saray CisternA mysterious place under modern Istanbul. The technical data: the cistern is 138 m long and 65 m wide, the capacity is 21 million US gallons of water or 80.000 cubic meters, 336 marble columns.
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople) - Yerebatan Saray CisternThe second Gorgo of the Cistern. I saw a third Gorgo in the Archaeological Museum of Istanbul. The original temple, from where the Gorgos were removed is still unknown.
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Turkey, Istanbul (Constantinople) The Land WallThe Land Wall of Theodosius stretches for 6.5 km from the Golden Horn to the Sea of Marmara. The first phase (a single wall with towers) was complete by 413; after a major earthquake in 447 the Wall was rebuilt and strengthened (a second outer screen and a moat were added), just in time to discourage Attila the Hun from attacking the city. The fortifications included 96 guard towers, each 18-20 m in height and spaced roughly 55 m apart. The Land Wall remained a formidable defensive barrier until the advent of artillery in the 15th century. Even in ruins, and with vegetables growing in the moat, it's still an impressive sight today. Abu Galyon
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Turkey, Istanbul - Alexander III in Lion Skin Head Dress - a frontal view - from the Alexander Sarcophagus in the Istanbul MuseumWe are accustomed to seeing the lion skin head dress in profile on coinage. Rarely are we afforded a more frontal view. I took this photo of Alexander the Great portrayed on the Alexander Sarcophagus in the Istanbul Museum. The head dress in nicely portrayed in three dimensions
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Turkey, Istanbul - Medusa's marble headIn the Underground Cistern, was taken from Tarsus in ancient times.
May 2011FlaviusDomitianus
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Turkey, Istanbul - the Column of MarcianThe column of emperor Marcian, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey.
The Column of Marcian was dedicated to Marcian, built by the praefectus urbi Tatianus, sometime between 450 and 452. It still stands in modern Istanbul, though the statue of Marcian which originally topped it has been lost. Marcian also had a statue in the Forum of Arcadius, which contained the statues of several of Arcadius' successors.
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20111224_Flavius_Marcianus_Augustus_Column_Fatih_Istanbul_Turkey.jpgJoe Sermarini
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Turkey, Istanbul, Boukoleon Palace9-6-2015
This section was built in the reign of Emperor Theophilus (829-42 AD).
The brick walls would have been clad in Marble.
The three doorways led to a balcony.
The Sea reached up to the walls in those days.
After being ransacked by the "4th Crusade" in 1204 AD, it remained abandoned, even after Michael VIII retook the city in 1261 AD.
The Ottomans never took this section over.
In 1873 AD it was partially destroyed to make way for the railway line that began at Sirkeci Station.Constantine IV
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Turkey, Istanbul, Column of Constantine9-6-2015
Known locally as "ÇemberlitaÅŸ" which translates as "hooped Stone" due to the Iron hoops added in 1779 AD after an earthquake and fire. The base was also reinforced at this date.
The column was inaugurated in 330 AD and originally had three more sections with a large Capital upon which was a gilded statue of Constantine in the guise of his favourite deity, Sol.
At the base of the column was said to have been a sanctuary with ancient relics stored.
A hurricane blew down the statue, Capital and upper three sections of column in 1106 AD.
In the reign of Manuel I (1143-1180 AD) a new Capital was installed with a dedicatory inscription around it which translates as "Faithful Manuel invigorated this holy work of art, which has been damaged by time."
A Cross was also placed on top of this, removed after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 AD. Bronze Wreaths are said to have covered the joints of the column, where the stone ones are today, said to have been looted by the Franks in 1204 AD.Constantine IV
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Turkey, Istanbul, Hagia Sophia , picture from 2nd FloorSimon
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Turkey, Istanbul, Hagia Sophia at NightSimon
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Turkey, Istanbul, Maiden's Tower2-6-2015
The first recorded structure on this islet dates from 1110 AD when Emperor Alexius had a tower constructed on it.
This tower was linked to another tower on the European side (the Mangana district) by an iron chain.
This tower was connected to the nearby Asian coast by a causeway upon which was built a wall.
A number of additions and uses have happened to the tower since then, the last of which were steel supports after the devastating earthquake of 17 August 1999.Constantine IV
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Turkey, Istanbul, Monastery of the Mother of God at the Spring7-6-2015
The full name of this ancient complex is "Monastery of the Mother of God at the Spring" but it is often known as "Zoödochos Pege" (Life-giving spring).
The Turkish name of it and the area is "Balıklı" which translates as "place where there are fishes" due to the presence of fish in this spring.
The era of the first Church complex around this spring is given either from the time of Emperor Leo I (457-74 AD) or Justinian I (527-65 AD).
Earthquakes and enemy invasions saw numerous rebuilding of this complex through the centuries.
The last was after the Pogroms of the 1950's.Constantine IV
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Turkey, Istanbul, Mosaic Museum9-6-2015
The south-western section of the Great Palace (dated to the reign of Emperor Justinian, 527-65 AD) was excavated in the years 1935-38 and 1951-54 by the University of St. Andrews.
This section comprised a Peristyle courtyard, decorated in Mosaics.
The Austrian Academy of Sciences undertook preservation work on the Mosaics in the years 1983-97.
In the photo above, you can also see the pipes inside the walls that would have water and heating.Constantine IV
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Turkey, Istanbul, Mosaic MuseumOutside the Museum is an array of columns, capitals, entablature and even marble Lions.Constantine IV
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Turkey, Istanbul, Princes Islands, Proti10-6-2015
The Monastery of the Transfiguration, on the island of Kınalıada (Proti).
A place of exile and burial of many members of the Byzantine aristocracy, including Emperors.
The earliest of which is said to have been Leo V (813-20 AD) but the most famous was Romanus IV (1068-71 AD).
Note the Corinthian capital in the foreground.
Like many ethnic Greek Church complexes in Turkey, this is often closed.Constantine IV
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Turkey, Istanbul, Rumeli HisariRumeli Hisari means ‘Rumelian Castle’: Rumelia (derived from ‘Rome’) being the Turkish word for the Balkan lands which once belonged to the Roman (Byzantine) Empire. The Rumeli Hisari was constructed in 1452 a few miles north of Constantinople on the European side of the Bosphorus by order of Sultan Mehmet II. Impressively, the whole fortress was built in less than four months. The Rumeli Hisari sits opposite an older, smaller Ottoman fort on the Asian side, the Anadolu Hisari (Anatolian Castle). Together the two forts effectively controlled traffic through the Bosphorus, cutting Constantinople off from the Black Sea and ensuring that an Ottoman army operating on the European side could be supplied from the granaries of central Anatolia. The building of Rumeli Hisari was preparation for the investment and conquest of Constantinople, which took place the following year.
The Rumeli Hisari/Anadolu Hisari forts are built at the point where the Bosphorus is most constricted (about 700m across). This is the same narrows where the Persian King Darius I over 2500 years ago built a ‘bridge of boats’ to transport his army across to attack Thrace (see Herodotus, Histories 4.87f). And these days a modern suspension bridge links Asia to Europe at the same spot, but sadly it rather spoils the view.
Abu Galyon
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Yüzlük (100 paras) of Selīm III42mm
33.14g
Ottoman empire
Istanbul mint.
1789-1807
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Yüzlük (100 paras) of Selīm IIIYüzlük (100 paras) of Selīm III
42mm
33.14g
Ottoman empire
Istanbul mint.
1789-1807JayAg47
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[103e] Cyzikos, Mysia, Asia Minor (2)Cyzikos, Mysia, 480 - 400 B.C. Silver hemiobol, BMC 120, S 1505, VF, Cyzikus mint, .343g, 9.5mm, 0o, 480 - 400 B.C.; Obverse: forepart of boar running left, tunny fish upwards behind; Reverse: head of roaring lion left, star of four rays above, all in incuse square. Ex FORVM.
Cyzkios (Cyzicum, Kyzikos): Located in modern Turkey, at the northern end of the isthmus between the Kapidag peninsula and the mainland, beside the Bandirma road about 10km/6mi southwest of Erdek, lie the remains of the ancient trading colony of Kyzikos (or Belkis), known by the poetic name of Dindymos. It was probably settled from Miletus in the second millennium B.C. and was certainly inhabited by Miletian settlers by 756 B.C. It is mentioned in the story of Jason and the Argonauts which tells how in error they killed the hospitable king who had earlier made them welcome. In 334 Alexander the Great built two bridges joining the southern tip of the island to the mainland. After Kyzikos declined, sand continuously washing up against the piles of the bridges caused the channel slowly to silt up and the isthmus was formed. Following Lucullus's decisive victory over Mithridates, Kyzikos became a "free" city and capital of Mysia. Badly damaged on several occasions by earthquakes (particularly in 543 and 1063) and by Arab assault (673), and further ravaged in fighting between Byzantines, Seljuks and Crusaders, it was finally abandoned in 1224. Little now remains to be seen, only a section of the walls, the site of the theater and some ruins of the amphitheater and of Hadrian's Temple to Zeus from which in the 16th century columns were removed to embellish Istanbul's mosques. Finds from Kyzikos are displayed in the museum in Erdek.
http://www.planetware.com/bandirma/kyzikos-tr-bl-bakz.htm
Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.
Cleisthenes
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[1611a] Justinian I, 4 April 527 - 14 November 565 A.D.Bronze follis, S 201, choice VF, 22.147g, 43.8mm, 180o, 2nd officina, Nikomedia mint, 541 - 542 A.D.; Obverse: D N IVSTINIANVS PP AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, globus cruciger in right, shield decorated with a horseman brandishing a spear, cross right; Reverse: large M, cross above, ANNO left, Xu (= year 15) right, B below, NIKO in ex; full circle strike on a huge flan. Ex FORVM.
De Imperatoribus Romanis
An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors
Justinian (527-565 A.D.).
James Allan Evans
University of British Columbia
Introduction
The reign of Justinian was a turning-point in Late Antiquity. It is the period when paganism finally lost its long struggle to survive, and when the schism in Christianity between the Monophysite east and the Chalcedonian west became insurmountable. From a military viewpoint, it marked the last time that the Roman Empire could go on the offensive with hope of success. Africa and Italy were recovered, and a foothold was established in Spain. When Justinian died, the frontiers were still intact although the Balkans had been devastated by a series of raids and the Italian economy was in ruins. His extensive building program has left us the most celebrated example of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture that still survives: Hagia Sophia in modern Istanbul. His reign was a period when classical culture was in sharp decline and yet it had a last flowering, with historians such as Procopius and Agathias working within the tradition inherited from Herodotus and Thucydides, and poets such as Paul the Silentiary who wrote some of the most sensuous poems that the classical tradition has ever produced. The Codex Justinianus, the Institutes and the Digest of Roman jurisprudence, all commissioned by Justinian, are monuments to the past achievements of Roman legal heritage. Justinian's reign sums up the past. It also provides a matrix for the future. In particular, there was the bubonic plague, which appeared in Constantinople in 542, for the first time in Europe, and then travelled round the empire in search of victims, returning to the capital for a new crop in 558. The plague ended a period of economic growth and initiated one of overstrained resources.
The 'Nika' Revolt
The 'Nika' Revolt which broke out in January, 532, in Constantinople, was an outburst of street violence which went far beyond the norms even in a society where a great deal of street violence was accepted. Every city worth notice had its chariot-racing factions which took their names from their racing colors: Reds, Whites, Blues and Greens. These were professional organizations initially responsible for fielding chariot-racing teams in the hippodromes, though by Justinian's time they were in charge of other shows as well. The Blues and the Greens were dominant, but the Reds and Whites attracted some supporters: the emperor Anastasius was a fan of the Reds. The aficionados of the factions were assigned their own blocs of seats in the Hippodrome in Constantinople, opposite the imperial loge, and the Blue and Green "demes" provided an outlet for the energies of the city's young males. G. M. Manojlovic in an influential article originally published in Serbo-Croat in 1904, argued that the "demes" were organized divisions of a city militia, and thus played an important role in the imperial defense structure. His thesis is now generally disregarded and the dominant view is that of Alan Cameron, that demos, whether used in the singular or plural, means simply "people" and the rioting of the "demes", the "fury of the Hippodrome", as Edward Gibbon called it, was hooliganism, which was also Gibbon's view. Efforts to make the Greens into supporters of Monophysitism and the Blues of Orthodoxy founder on lack of evidence. However, in support of Manojlovic's thesis, it must be said that, although we cannot show that the Blue and Green "demes" were an organized city militia, we hear of "Young Greens" both in Constantinople and Alexandria who bore arms, and in 540, when Antioch fell to the Persians, Blue and Green street-fighters continued to defend the city after the regular troops had fled.
Justinian and Theodora were known Blue supporters, and when street violence escalated under Justin I, Procopius claims that they encouraged it. But since Justinian became emperor he had taken a firmer, more even-handed stand. On Saturday, January 10, 532, the city prefect Eudaemon who had arrested some hooligans and found seven guilty of murder, had them hanged outside the city at Sycae, across the Golden Horn, but the scaffold broke and saved two of them from death, a Blue and a Green. Some monks from St. Conon's monastery nearby took the two men to sanctuary at the church of St Lawrence where the prefect set troops to watch. The following Tuesday while the two malefactors were still trapped in the church, the Blues and Greens begged Justinian to show mercy. He ignored the plea and made no reply. The Blues and Green continued their appeals until the twenty-second race (out of twenty-four) when they suddenly united and raised the watchword 'Nika'. Riots started and the court took refuge in the palace. That evening the mob burned the city prefect's praetorium.
Justinian tried to continue the games next day but only provoked more riot and arson. The rioting and destruction continued throughout the week; even the arrival of loyal troops from Thrace failed to restore order. On Sunday before sunrise, Justinian appeared in the Hippodrome where he repented publicly and promised an amnesty. The mob turned hostile, and Justinian retreated. The evening before Justinian had dismissed two nephews of the old emperor Anastasius, Hypatius and Pompey, against their will, from the palace and sent them home, and now the mob found Hypatius and proclaimed him emperor in the Hippodrome. Justinian was now ready to flee, and perhaps would have done so except for Theodora, who did not frighten easily. Instead Justinian decided to strike ruthlessly. Belisarius and Mundo made their separate ways into the Hippodrome where they fell on Hypatius' supporters who were crowded there, and the 'Nika' riot ended with a bloodbath.
A recent study of the riot by Geoffrey Greatrex has made the point that what was unique about it was not the actions of the mob so much as Justinian's attempts to deal with it. His first reaction was to placate: when the mob demanded that three of his ministers must go, the praetorian prefect of the East, John the Cappadocian, the Quaestor of the Sacred Palace Tribonian and the urban prefect Eudaemon, Justinian replaced them immediately. He hesitated when he should have been firm and aggravated the situation. It may well have been Theodora who emboldened him for the final act of repression. Procopius imagines Theodora on the last day engaging in formal debate about what should be done, and misquoting a famous maxim that was once offered the tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius the Elder "Tyranny is a good shroud." Theodora emends it to "Kingship is a good shroud" and readers of Procopius may have thought wryly that the emendation was unnecessary. The formal debate, and Theodora's great scene, was probably a creation of Procopius' imagination, but a splendid one.
The 'Nika' revolt left Justinian firmly in charge. The mob was cowed and the senatorial opposition that surfaced during the revolt was forced underground. The damage to Constantinople was great, but it cleared the way for Justinian's own building program. Work in his new church of Hagia Sophia to replace the old Hagia Sophia that was destroyed in the rioting, started only forty-five days after the revolt was crushed. The two leaders of the Hippodrome massacre, Mundo and Belisarius, went on to new appointments: Mundo back to Illyricum as magister militum and Belisarius to make his reputation as the conqueror of the Vandals in Africa. The 530s were a decade of confidence and the 'Nika' riot was only a momentary crisis.
(for a detailed account of the reign of Justinian I, see: http://www.roman-emperors.org/justinia.htm)
Last Years
Misfortune crowded into the final years of Justinian's reign. There was another Samaritan revolt in midsummer, 556. Next year, in December, a great earthquake shook Constantinople and in May of the following year, the dome of Justinian's new Hagia Sophia collapsed, and had to be rebuilt with a new design. About the same time, the plague returned to the capital. Then in early 559 a horde of Kutrigur 'Huns' (proto-Bulgars) crossed the frozen Danube and advanced into the Balkans. It split into three columns: one pushed into Greece but got no further than Thermopylae, another advanced into the Gallipoli peninsula but got no further than the Long Wall, which was defended by a young officer from Justinian's native city, while the third, most dangerous spearhead led by the 'Hun' khan, Zabergan himself, made for Constantinople. Faced with this attack and without any forces for defense, Justinian called Belisarius out of retirement, and Belisarius, using a scratch force, the core of which was 300 of his veterans, ambushed the Kutrigur horde and routed it. Once the immediate danger was over, however, Justinian recalled Belisarius and took charge himself. The news that Justinian was reinforcing his Danube fleet made the Kutrigurs anxious and they agreed to a treaty which gave them a subsidy and safe passage back across the river. But as soon as they were north of the Danube, they were attacked by their rivals the Utigurs who were incited by Justinian to relieve them of their booty. The Kutrigurs raided Thrace again in 562, but they and the Utigurs were soon to fall prey to the Avars who swept out of the Asian steppes in the early 560s.
There was discontent in the capital. Street violence was on the increase again. There were bread shortages and water shortages. In late 562, there was a conspiracy which almost succeeded in killing the emperor. The chief conspirator was Marcellus, an argyroprates, a goldsmith and banker, and the conspiracy probably reflected the dissatisfaction of the business community. But Justinian was too old to learn to be frugal. He resorted to forced loans and requisitions and his successor found the treasury deeply in debt.
What remained of the great emperor's achievement? His successor Justin II, out of a combination of necessity and foolhardiness, denied the 'barbarians' the subsidies which had played a major role in Justinian's defense of the frontiers, and, to be fair, which had also been provided by emperors before him. Subsidies had been part of Anastasius' policy as well, but that was before the plague, while the imperial economy was still expanding. The result of Justin II's change of policy was renewed hostility with Persia and a shift of power in the Balkans. In 567 the Avars and Lombards joined forces against the Gepids and destroyed them. But the Lombards distrusted their allies and next year they migrated into Italy where Narses had just been removed from command and recalled, though he disobeyed orders and stayed in Rome until his death. By the end of the century only a third of Italy was in Byzantine hands. On the eastern frontier, Justin alienated the Ghassanid allies and lost the fortress of Daras, a reverse which overwhelmed his frangible sanity. For this Justinian can hardly be blamed. No one can deny his greatness; a recent study by Asterios Gerostergios even lionizes him. But if we look at his reign with the unforgiving eye of hindsight, it appears to be a brilliant effort to stem the tide of history, and in the end, it was more a failure than a moderate success.
Copyright (C) 1998, James Allan Evans. Published: De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families http://www.roman-emperors.org/startup.htm. Used by permission.
The Church we know today as Hagia Sophia - or Divine Wisdom, its true name - was dedicated by the Emperor Justinian in 537AD. Through many visitudes Justinian's cathedral church of Constantinople still stands, its soring vaults and amazing dome testiments to the human spirit, the engineering talents of its builders and Divine inspiration. In the same fashion that Vespasian's Collesium (the Flavian Amphitheatre) is symbolic of Rome, Justinian's Hagia Sophia is a symbol of Byzantium.
Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.Cleisthenes
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