Bithynia

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Nikomedes IV, Willed the Kingdom of Bithynia to Rome; and upon his death in 74 BC, Bithynia was constituted a Roman Province. The limits of the Province were subsequently enlarged, notably by the Pontic dominions of Mithradates Eupator, the whole Province being known as 'Pontus et Bithynia '.

Commune Bithyniae (ΚΟΙΝΟΝ). Imperial— Ć, Claudius to Hadrian, probably struck at Nicomedia on the celebration of federal games. Inscr., usually ΒΙΘΥΝΙΑ, and (under Hadrian) ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΒЄΙΘΥΝΙΑC; also names of the Procurator (Epitropos Επιτροπος) and Proconsul (Anthuptatos Ανθυπατος). Types: Female figure, ΒΙΘΥΝΙΑ (Rec. gén., pp. 236, 237); Shield and spear; Ears of corn; Temple of the Emperor. Under Hadrian silver pieces inscribed COM. BIT. were issued: rev. Temple. They weigh 154-169 grains (reduced Cistophori) and were current for three denarii (Rec gén., p. 239 f.).

Apameia, originally Myrlea, was renamed, circ. B.C. 202, by Prusias I, king of Bithynia, after his wife, Apama. It became a colonia, circ. B.C. 47.

Autonomous Ć. (i) Circ. B.C. 300-202. Inscr., ΜΥΡΛ, ΜΥΡΛΕΑ, or ΜΥΡΛΕΑΝΩΝ. Types: Athena; Apollo; Demeter; Head of Helios; Wheel; Humped bull; Horseman; Lyre; Corn-wreath, etc.

(ii) After circ. B.C. 202. Inscr., ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΜΥΡΛΕΑΝΩΝ or ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ; names of Proconsuls (first century B.C.), C. Papirius Carbo and C. Vibius Pansa, with dates from 'Proconsular Era ' of Bithynia, beginning Sept. B.C. 282-1 (Reinach, Rev. Num., 1891, p. 374). Types: Head of Apollo; rev. Lyre. Head of Dionysos; rev. Roma seated.

(iii) Colonial Ć. Augustus to Saloninus. Inscr., COL. IVL. CONC. APAM. AVG. D. D., i.e. Colonia Julia Concordia Apamea Augusta, Decurionum Decreto; C. I. C. A. APA. D. D.; C. I. C. A. D. D. Types: Dolphin; Head of Hermes; Diana Lucifera; Apollo Clarius APOLLINI CLAR. (Rec gén., No. 52, and p. 246 n.); Statue of Marsyas; Galley; Fish with open mouth, etc.; Flight of Aeneas (Rec gén., No. 43); GENI OPTIMO COMMODO Genius crowning Commodus (ib., No. 56); VENVS seated on dolphin (ib., No. 61; cf. No. 65); &c.

Astacus. This city (cf. Toepffer in Hermes, 1896, p. 124 f.; Imhoof, Journ. Int., 1898, p. 12; Rec gén., p. 265) stood on a gulf of the same name, and the type of its coins, the astakos αστακος, Crayfish or Lobster, contains a play upon its name, and refers at the same time to the great numbers of these creatures which were found in the shallow waters of the gulf (J. Six, De Gorgone, p. 40). The Athenians founded a colony there B.C. 435/4.

Circ. B.C. 500-435. Persic Standard.
Lobster or crayfish.
[Imh., M. G., p. 234.]
ΑΣ Female head of archaic style; incuse square. Symbol: Swastika.
AR Dr. 77 grs.
Also Triobol and Diobol [Rec gén p. 266].

Circ. B.C. 434-400.
ΑΣ Lobster or crayfish. Female head of later style; incuse square.
AR 77 grs.
Lobster, holding shell in claws. Id.
AR 76 and 33 grs.

Astacus was destroyed by Lysimachus, B.C. 281, and when, in B.C. 264, Nicomedia was founded by Nicomedes I, he settled there the inhabitants of the old city of Astacus.

Bithynium or Claudiopolis (Eski-hissar near Boli). Ć of first century B.C. under C. Papirius Carbo, ΒΙΘΥΝΙΕΩΝ, Head of Dionysos, rev. ΕΠΙ ΓΑΙΟΥ ΠΑΠΙΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΡΒΩΝΟΣ, ΡΩΜΗ. Roma seated. Date '224 ' from Proconsular Era beginning B.C. 282/1.

Imperial— Vespasian to Gallienus. Inscr., ΚΛΑΥΔΙΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ; ΒΙΘΥΝΙΕΩΝ; ΑΔΡΙΑΝΩΝ ΒΕΙΘΥΝΙΕΩΝ. This town was the birthplace of Antinoüs, and medallions were struck there in his honor, reading ΑΝΤΙΝΟΟΝ ΘΕΟΝ Η ΠΑΤΡΙΣ (Rec. gén., No. 13 f.). Types: Aphrodite on sea-horse; Antinoüs-Hermes, holding pedum and with a bull beside him, a tall plant in front, and a star over his head; Eros; Hygieia; Hermes; Tyche; Two goats butting, and bull.

Caesareia Germanica (Ouloubad ? on Lake of Apollonia). Imperial— AE, Augustus (Imh., Gr. M., p. 599) to Valerian. Inscr., ΚΑΙCΑΡЄΙΑC ΓЄΡΜΑΝΙΚΗC (contrast inscr. of coins of Germanicia Caesareia in Commagene). Types: obv. ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ Head of Augustus, rev. ΚΑΙΣΑΡΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΝ ΒΕΙΘΥΝΙΑ Caduceus (cf. Imh., Gr. M., p. 599); obv. ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΚΤΙΣΤΗΣ Head of Germanicus, rev. ΚΑΙΣΑΡΕΙΑ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙΚΗ City-gate (Paris: Annuaire, 1882, p. 107). Also City gate with inscr. ΕΠΙ ΣΑΛΟΥΙΔΗΝΟΥ ΑΣΠΡΗΝΑ ΑΝΘΥ. ΚΑΙΣΑ. (Titus); Harbor with distyle building and statue, sacrificial bull in front (BMC Pontus, p. xix); Part of amphitheater with spectators (N. C., 1903, p. 330; Rec gén., Nos. 15 and 31); Galley; Zeus (frequent); Asklepios; Artemis; Sarapis; Herakles reclining (Imhoof-Blumer KM, II. p. 501); Mountain-god ΟΛΥΜΠΟC (Imh., Gr. M., p. 597 = Monn. gr., p. 439, No. 1); Helios with torches (Gr. M., n. 599).

Calchedon (Kadikeui), a Megarian colony on the Asiatic side of the Bosporus opposite Byzantium, was always intimately connected with that city. The coins of the two places (the earliest of Calchedon excepted) differ only in one respect, viz. that the Bull on the money of Byzantium stands upon a dolphin, while at Calchedon he stands upon an ear of corn.

Circ. B.C. 480.
Bearded male head (Calchas?); [cf. Svoronos in Eph. Arch., 1890, p. 168 f.]. Wheel in incuse square [Rec gén., No. 1].
AR Triobol 37.5-30 grs.

Circ. B.C. 450-400.
Bearded male head, l. (Calchas ?). ΚΑΛΧ between the four spores of a denticulated wheel (cf. the type of Mesembria).
AR Attic drachm 61 grs.
Beardless male head, l. (Apollo ?). Id.
AR Triobol.

Circ. B.C. 400.
Beardless male head, r. (Apollo ?). ΚΑΛ and ivy-leaf between the four spokes of a wheel.
AR Triobol 30 grs.
Round shield or disk (with Medusa head ?). ΚΑΛΧ between the four spokes of a wheel [Rec. gén., No. 7].
AR Trihemiobol 16 grs.

Fourth century B.C.
ΚΑΛΧ Bull standing on ear of corn; var. symbols and monograms.
[Rec gén., p. 292.]
Dotted incuse square, mill-sail pattern.
AR Stater 236 grs.; also Ľ Stater.
ΚΑΛΧ Half-bull standing on ear of corn; symbols and monograms. Three ears of corn. 1/8 Stater 28 grs.
ΚΑΛΧ Bull standing on ear of corn. Inc. sq., mill-sail pattern.
AR Dr. 82 grs.; also Tetrobol and smaller divisions.

Also Ć, Types: Ears of corn; Astragalus, &c. (Rec gén., p. 293 f.).

At the beginning of the third century B.C., tetradrachms and drachms were issued here of Lysimachian types (obv. Head of Alexander with horn, rev. Athena seated); see Rec. gén., p. 294. Also Ć, obv. Head of Athena, rev. Athena seated.

After circ. B.C. 280.
Head of Demeter veiled. ΚΑΛΧ Apollo seated on omphalos.
AR 215 grs.;
also AR with ΚΑΛΧΑ, 79 grs.
[Rec gén., No. 28.]

AE, Types: Trophy; Lyre; Heads of Apollo and Artemis; Heads of Demeter and Apollo; Poseidon seated, etc. (Rec gén., pp. 295-7). Also Ć alliance coins inscribed with names of Calchedon and Byzantium (ib., p. 297).

Imperial— Tiberius to Tranquillina. Inscr., ΚΑΛΧΑΔΟΝΙΩΝ. Types: Apollo in Corinthian temple (Journ. Int., 1898, p. 18, No. 13; the city had an old temple of Apollo, Lucian, Alex. § 10); Apollo seated on swan or on tripod; Lyre; Tripod entwined by serpent; Poseidon; Hermes; Herakles reclining; ΑΝΤΙΝΟΟC ΗΡΩC Bust of Antinoüs, rev. ΚΑΛΧΑΔΟΝΙΟΙC ΙΠΠΩΝ (sc. anethaeke ανεθηκε) Antinoüs on griffin; Galley. Also quasi-autonomous. Head of Apollo, rev. Lyre and rev. Laurel-tree (Eph. Arch., 1889, p. 89 f.); see also Imhoof in Journ. Int., 1898, p. 15 f.; cf. p. 18 and Rec gén., No. 50, with head of Rhoemetalces I, king of the Odrysae, A.D. 11-12.

There are no early coins of this town, its first issues dating from the age of Alexander the Great. All the gold staters known come from the Sidon hoards, which appear to have been buried either about B.C. 308 (Rev. Num., 1865, 8) or about B.C. 288, if the dates upon the gold coins of Ace in these hoards are to be reckoned from the Seleucid era. Six (N. C., 1885, p. 42) dates the earliest coins of Cius, B.C. 321.

Circ. B.C. 330-302.

FIG. 265.

Head of Apollo. (Fig. 265.) Prow, ornamented with star, and magistrate 's name, ΑΓΑΣΙΚΛΗΣ, ΑΓΝΩΝΙΔΗΣ, ΙΕΡΟΚΛΗΣ, ΠΡΟΞΕΝΟΣ.
AV Stater.
Id. Beneath, ΚΙΑ. [On the weights of the AR see Imhoof in Journ. Int., 1898, p. 19.] Id. (For magistrates ' names see Rec gén., p. 311 f.).
AR Persic Drachm 81 grs.
AR ˝ Drachm 40 grs.
AR Ľ Drachm 20 grs.

Circ. B.C. 302-202.
Young male head, in Persian head-dress (Mithras ?). ΚΙΑΝΩΝ Club.
Ć .7
Id. [Cf. Hunter Cat., II. p. 242, No. 5; Journ. Int., 1898, p. 19.] ΚΙΑ Kantharos, grapes, and ears of corn.
Ć .65
Head of Apollo. ΚΙΑΝΩΝ Club.
Ć .7
Head of Herakles. „ Club and bow in case.
Ć .8
Laurel-wreath. „ Club and lion-skin.
Ć .8

After circ. B.C. 202 (Prusias ad Mare).

Under the rule of the earlier kings of Bithynia the silver coinage ceases. Philip V of Macedon destroyed the town in B.C. 202 and gave the site to Prusias I. It received from the latter the name of Prusias ad Mare, and struck bronze coins, reading ΠΡΟΥΣΙΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΠΡΟΣ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΗΙ: obv. Head of Herakles, rev. Club and bow in case; obv. Head of Apollo, rev. Tripod. One with name of an ΑΡΓΥΡΟΤΑΜΙΑΣ.

Between the conquest of Bithynia by the Romans, B.C. 72, and the accession of Augustus occur the coins of two queens, Musa, daughter of Orsobaris, and Orodaltis, daughter of a King Lycomedes (Reinach, Tr. Roy., p. 135); obv. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΜΟΥΣΗΣ ΟΡΣΟΒΑΡΙΟΣ, Head of Musa, rev. ΠΡΟΥΣΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΠΡΟΣ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΗΙ Head of Herakles. AE. Also obv. ΩΡΟΔΑΛΤΙΔΟΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΚΟΜΗΔΟΥΣ ΘΥΓΑΤΡΟΣ Head of Orodaltis, rev. ΠΡΟΥΣΙΕΩΝ ΠΡΟΣ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΗ, Fulmen. Ć. (Rec gén., p. 316).

Under Roman Rule (Cius).

Under the Romans Cius recovered its original name, and Imperial coins are known from Claudius to Saloninus. Inscr., ΚΙΑΝΩΝ, ΑΔΡΙΑΝΩΝ ΚΙΑΝΩΝ (chiefly Hadrian), CЄΥΗΡΟΥ ΒΑCΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΟC Ο ΚΟCΜΟC ЄΥΤΥΧЄΙ ΜΑΚΑΡΙΟΙ ΚΙΑΝΟΙ (Sept. Severus). Types:

ΗΡΑΚΛΗΣ ΚΤΙΣΤΗΣ Herakles standing; ΤΟΝ ΚΤΙΣΤΗΝ ΚΙΑΝΟΙ Herakles standing; Herakles reclining; Athena; Sarapis; Aphrodite crouching (N. Z., 1891, p. 14); Eros; Youth Hylas, holding bucket from which water flows (cf. Strab. xii. 564); Youth Kios (?), adjusting sandal; Two goats with forelegs on amphora; Galley.

Claudiopolis. See Bithynium.

Creteia-Flaviopolis (Geredeh), in the valley of the Billaeus. Inscr., ΚΡΗΤΙΕΩΝ; ΚΡΗΤΙΕΩΝ ΦΛΑΟΥΙΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ; ΚΡΗΤΙΑ ΦΛΑΟΥΙΟΠΟΛΙC. Imperial— Antoninus to Gallienus. Types: Demeter in car drawn by winged serpents; Apollo, Demeter, and Dionysos (?) (Rec gén., No. 38, and R. N., 1901, p. 5); Artemis; River-god ΒΙΛΛΑΙΟC or ΒΙΛΛΕΟC (Billaeus); Satyr seated (Rec. gén., No. 3); Temple, and two stags on bases (ib., No. 4).

Dia, on the Euxine, between the mouth of the Hypius and Heracleia Pontica. The editors of the Recueil gén. (p. 341) attribute to it the bronze coins reading ΔΙΑΣ, assigned by Imhoof to Cabeira in Pontus (q.v.).

Heracleia Pontica (Benderegli). This important Bithynian city attained its greatest prosperity in the latter part of the fourth century, under its tyrants Clearchus, Satyrus, Timotheus, and Dionysius. The standard in use at Heracleia is the same as that of Sinope, and is identical with the Aeginetic in weight, though perhaps not of the same origin. For full lists of the coins see Six, in Num. Chron., 1885, p. 51; BMC Pontus and Rec gén., p. 343 f.

Circ. B.C. 415-394.

The silver coins (obv. Head of Herakles, rev. ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΑ outside a square compartment) assigned in BMC Pontus, p. 139, Nos. 1-3, and Rec gén., Nos. 1-4, to Heracleia under this date seem rather, on grounds of style, to belong to Heracleia Sintica in Macedonia (p. 244).

Circ. B.C. 394-352.
Head of bearded Herakles in lion-skin; beneath, sometimes, club. ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΑ Rushing bull; in field, sometimes, symbols, or letters.
AR Dr. 81-60 grs.
Id. ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΑ Club.
AR 1˝ Ob. 18 grs.
Id. ΗΡΑΚ Forepart of rushing bull.
AR 1˝ Ob. 18 grs.
Id.
[Rec. gén., No. 15.]
ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΑ Bow, quiver, and club.
AR 1/8 Dr. 8 grs.
Id. ΗΡΑ Bow, club, and quiver.
Ć .65
ΗΡΑΚ Head of City-goddess (or perhaps Hera) in turreted stephanos. Κ (for Clearchus? tyrant, B.C. 364352). Bow in case, and club.
AR Diobol and Obol.
Id. Κ Trophy.
AR Diobol
Time of the tyrant Satyrus. B.C. 352-345.
Head of young Herakles, l., in lion-skin; club sometimes beneath.
[B. M. Guide, Pl. XVIII. 22.]
ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΑ Head of City goddess, of finest style, in turreted stephanos.
AR Stater 181 grs.
Id. ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΑ Id.
AR Drachm 84 grs.
Id. „ Id.
AR Tetrobol
 
Id. ΗΡΑΚ Id.
AR Diobol
Id., facing. Head of City-goddess.
AR Obol.
ΗΡΑΚ Head of City-goddess. Σ Trophy.
AR Diobol [Z. f. N., vii. p. 22.]

Timotheus and Dionysius. B.C. 345-337.
Head of young Dionysos, ivy-crowned, with thyrsos at shoulder. ΤΙΜΟΘΕΟΥ ΔΙΟΝΥΣΙΟΥ Herakles erecting trophy.
AR Stater 150 grs.
Id. ΤΙΜΟΘΕΟΥ ΔΙΟΝΥΣΙΟΥ Id.
AR Triobol 38 grs.

Dionysius alone. B.C. 337-305.

FIG. 266.

Coins similar to the above, but without the name of Timotheus. Staters, Drachms, and Triobols. (Fig. 266.) Also Ć Head of Herakles, rev. ΔΙΟΝΥΣΙΟΥ, Bow in Case.

Clearchus II and Oxathres. B.C. 305-302.

Dionysius was succeeded in the tyranny by his two sons Clearchus and Oxathres, who reigned under the guardianship of their mother Amastris. To their time may perhaps be attributed the following.

Head of young Dionysos, as above.
[Num. Chron., 1885, p. 59.]
ΗΡΑΚΛΕΩΤΑΝ Herakles standing facing, leaning on club, and crowned by Nike.
AR Stater 149 grs.

Time of Lysimachus. B.C. 302-281.
Head of young Herakles in lion-skin. ΗΡΑΚΛΕΩΤΑΝ Dionysos seated, holding kantharos and thyrsos.
AR Stater 152 grs.
Head of young Dionysos.
[Rec gén., No. 46.]
Same inscr. and similar type.
AR Dr. 77 grs.
Head of young Herakles in lion-skin.
[B. M. Guide, Pl. XXIX. 26.]
ΗΡΑΚΛΕΩ Dionysos seated, holding kantharos and thyrsos, bound with ivy.
AR Attic Tetradrachm 254 grs.
Head of young Herakles, facing.
[Zeit. f. Num., vii. Pl. I. 13.]
Nike, naked to waist, kneeling on a club, and tracing the last letter of the word ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΑ.
AR 104 grs.

The last mentioned coin is now, preferably, attributed in Rec. gén., p. 352, to Heracleia in Lucania.

The autonomous bronze coins with ΗΡΑΚΛΕΩΤΑΝ, obv. Head of Herakles, rev. Running Lion, Club and Bow in case, &c., belong for the most part to the time of Lysimachus and later. Some Ć with ΡΑΒ in monogram may belong to one of the Tyrants of Heracleia, B.C. 70-31; inscr. ΗΡΑΚΛΕΩΤΑΝ. Types: Statue of Athena; Statue of Hera (?); Dionysos: see Journ. Int., 1898, p. 21 f.: cf. Rec. gén., p. 356.

Imperial and Quasi-autonomous. Claudius to Macrianus Jun. Inscr., ΗΡΑΚΛЄΩΤΑΝ ΜΑΤΡΟΠΟΛЄΙΤΑΝ (Trajan); ΗΡΑΚΛΗΑC ΠΟΝΤΩ (Doric for ΠΟΝΤΟΥ) or ЄΝ ΠΟΝΤΩ; ΗΡΑΚΛЄΩΤΑΝ ΠΟΝΤΩ or ЄΝ ΠΟΝΤΩ; ΗΡΑΚΛΗΑC ΝЄΟΚΟΡΩΝ (Gallienus, etc.); ΗΡΑΚΛЄΩΤΑΝ ΜΑΤΡΟC ΑΠΟΙΚΩΝ ΠΟΛΙΩΝ. Types: Zeus seated, in front the Charites (Journ. Int., 1898, p. 23); Poseidon; Athena; Asklepios; youthful Asklepios? (Rec. gén., No. 168); Dionysos (on coins of younger Macrianus, etc., Z. f. N., vii. p. 24, No. 8); Aphrodite (Journ. Int., 1898, p. 24), Agathodaemon; Armed goddess (Rec gén., No. 95); View of Stadium of Heracleia (Rec gén., No. 76); Various Labors of Herakles (N. C., 1898, p. 105); Herakles dragging Kerberos (at Heracleia was one of the mouths of Hades); ΤΟΝ ΚΤΙCΤΑΝ Head of Herakles; The Tyche of the city seated between the Pontos Euxeinos and a River-god (Imhoof-Blumer KM, p. 8); Funeral Pyre (Imh., Gr. M., p. 601). Names of Proconsuls: (ΕΠΙ ΑΝΘΥΠΑΤΟΥ, &c.), Attius Lakon (Nero), Z. f. N., vii. p. 23, No. 6; M. Plancius Varus (Vespasian). Neocorate first appears on coins of Philip I.

Iuliopolis, originally Gordiucome.

Imperial— Vespasian to Gallienus, sometimes with name of Proconsul of Bithynia, M. Plancius Varus (N. Z., 1891, p. 76). Inscr., ΙΟΥΛΙΟΠΟΛЄΙΤΩΝ, occasionally with title ΝЄΩΚΟΡΩΝ (Eckhel, ii. 422); ΙΟΥΛΙΟΠΟΛΙC. Types: Męn; Sarapis; Zeus; Athena; Kybele; Nemesis; Emperor sacrificing; Baetyl of Elagabal in quadriga; Military standards; River-god CΑΓΑ(risρις); River-god CΚΟΠΑC.

Myrlea. See under Apameia, p. 510 supra.

Nicaea (Isnik). This town, originally Ancore, was rebuilt by Antigonus circ. B.C. 316 and called Antigoneia; it was renamed Nicaea by Lysimachus, after which it soon rose to be one of the chief Cities of the kingdom of Bithynia.

Autonomous bronze, of the first century B.C., with names of the Proconsuls, C. Papirius Carbo and C. Vibius Pansa: dates according to Era beginning Sept. 282-1 B.C. (BMC Pontus, p. 152 f.; R. N., 1887, p. 362 f.; 1891, p. 374).

Imperial— Augustus to Quietus. Inscr., ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ, ΝΕΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ, or ΝΕΙΚ. Honorific titles— ΠΡΩΤΟΙ ΠΟΝΤ. ΚΑΙ ΒΙΘ.; ΠΡΩΤΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΕΠΑΡΧΕΙΑΣ; ΑΡΙΣΤΟΙ ΜΕΓΙΣΤΟΙ, ЄΥCЄΒЄΙC ЄΥΓЄΝЄΙC, &c. Magistrates. Names of Proconsuls, Augustus to Vespasian. Chief Types: Various buildings (BMC Pontus, pp. 153, 154; Imh., Mon. gr., p. 240); Walls of Nicaea; ΤΟΝ ΚΤΙΣΤΗΝ ΝΕΙΚΑΙΕΙΣ Herakles; ΡΩΜΗΝ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΝ ΝΕΙΚ. Roma seated; ΤΟΝ ΚΤΙΣΤΗΝ Asklepios; ΑCΚΛΗΠΙΩ ΚΑΙ ΥΓЄΙΑ ΝΙΚΑЄΙC Hygieia; CΩΤΗΡΙΑCΚΛΗ. Altar entwined by serpent; Infant Dionysos in cradle (cf. Imh., Gr. M., p. 602); ΤΟΝ ΚΤΙCΤΗΝ Dionysos; ΑΓΑΘ. ΤΥΧΗ; ΑΛЄΞΑΝΔΡΟΝ ΝΙΚΑΙЄΙC Statue of Alexander the Great (Imhoof-Blumer KM, p. 9); Athletes drawing lots; ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑ Homonoia; Sarapis and Caracalla in ship; River-god CΑΓΑΡΙC; ΙΠΠΑΡΧΟC Hipparchus the astronomer (Imhoof-Blumer KM, p. 502); Herakles and Antaeos; ΙΠΠΟΝ ΒΡΟΤΟΠΟΔΑ Julius Caesar (as Męn ?) on his human-footed horse (N. C., 1891, p. 421; R. N., 1894, p. 301; BMC Pontus, p. 171, No. 118; Kubitschek, Rundschau über ein Quinquennium, p. 41); ΟΙ ΚΤΙCΤΑΙ Artemis and Dionysos; Signs of the Zodiac; Hephaestos standing; ΔΙΟΣ ΛΙΤΑΙΟΥ Altar; ΘΕΑ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙ; ΚΟΜΟΔΟΥ ΒΑCΙΛЄΥΟΝΤΟC Ο ΚΟCΜΟC ЄΥΤΥΧЄΙ within wreath; ΟΜΗΡΟC Homer; Lion 's head radiate (N. C., 1898, p. 106); ΘΗCЄΑ ΝΙΚΑЄΙC Theseus (Journ. Int., i. p. 25); the nymph ΝΕΙΚΑΙΑ (Journ. Int., i. p. 25 f.); Pan (Journ. Int., i. p. 28 f.); ΓΕΤΑΝ ΚΑΙCΑΡΑ ΝΙΚΑΙΕΙC Geta (N. Z., xxiii. p. 78); ΕΠΙ(phanaeφανη) ΤΕΛΕC(phoronφορον) ΝΙΚΑΙΕΙC Telesphoros (Z. f. N., xvii. 190); ΡΩΜΑΙΩΝΝΙΚΗΝ (Hunter Cat., Pl. XLVI. 11). Games. ΚΟΜΟΔЄΙΑ; ΙЄΡΟC ΑΓΩΝ; CЄΟΥΗΡЄΙΑ; ΦΙΛΑΔЄΛΦЄΙΑ; ΜЄΓΑΛΑ; ΔΙΟΝΥCΙΑ; ΠΥΘΙΑ; ΟΥΑΛЄ; ΓΑΛΛ; ΑΥΓΟΥ. Alliance. Byzantium and Nicaea.

Nicomedia (Ismid), on the northern side of the gulf of Astacus near its head, received its name from its founder Nicomedes I of Bithynia. It was the chief city of the Bithynian kingdom and the residence of the king. Autonomous bronze of the first century B.C., with the names of the Proconsuls, C. Papirius Carbo, C. Vibius Pansa, and Thorius Flaccus, with dates according to Era beginning Sept. 282-1 B.C. (cf. Nicaea).

Imperial— Claudius to Gallienus. Inscr., ΝЄΙΚΟΜΗΔЄΙΑC; ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔЄΩΝ; ΝЄΩΚΟΡΟΥ, ΔΙC and ΤΡΙC ΝЄΩΚΟΡΩΝ; Η ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΟ; ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛЄΩC; ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙC ΚΑΙ ΠΡΩΤΗ ΒΙΘΥΝΙΑC ΚΑΙ Π.; ΝΕΙΚ. ΠΡΩΤ. ΔΙΠΟΝΤ. ΚΑΙ ΒΕΙΘΥ. (Imh., Gr. M., p. 605); CЄΥΟΥΗΡΟΥ ΒΑCΙΛЄΥΟΝΤΟC Ο ΚΟCΜΟC ЄΥΤΥΧ(ε)Ι ΜΑΚΑΡΙΟΙ ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔЄΙC; ΠΡΩΤΗC ΑCΙΑC (Journ. Int., i. p. 32). On the earlier coins names of Proconsuls, some with addition of ΠΑΤΡΩΝ.

Types: ΗΡΑ ΛΑΝΟΙΑ = Juno Lanuvina (Imh., Gr. M., p. 604); ΕΙΡΗΝΗ; ΗΡΩC ΑΝΤΙΝΟΟC; ΔΗΜΗΤ Demeter; Hephaestos seated; CΤΟΛΟC male figure in rostral crown, holding rudder (BMC Pontus, p. 181); Ship; Asklepios; Serpent with human head; The Tyche of the City mounting prow; Radiate figure, serpent and eagle, at altar (BMC Pontus, p. xx); Aphrodite seated or standing, with apple (N. C., 1903, p. 332; Hunter Cat., p. 254); Argos constructing the Argo (N. Z., 1891, p. 17); Goddess holding model of temple (Pick in Jahresh. d. österreich. arch. Inst., vii. (1904), p. 7).

Alliance coins with Perinthus, Pergamum, Smyrna, and Laodiceia (Phryg.).

Prusa ad Olympum (Brűsa), on the northern slope of Mount Olympus. Autonomous Ć of first century B.C. with name of Proconsul, C. Papirius Carbo, dated from Era beginning Sept. 282-1 B.C. Imperial. Nero to Gallienus. Also quasi-autonomous. Inscr., ΠΡΟΥCΑЄΩΝ. Types: Mountain-god ΟΛΥΜΠΟC reclining (cf. Imhoof-Blumer KM, p. 503); Nymph of Mount Olympos (Imh., Gr. M., p. 606); ΠΡΟΥCΑЄΙC ΔΙΑ ΟΛΥΜΠΙΟΝ Zeus seated; Aphrodite Anadyomene; Eros; Poseidon; Asklepios; Telesphoros; ΠΡΟΥCΑ the City-goddess; Helios; Ajax falling on sword; Caracalla, eagle and boar at altar; Selene on horse; ΠΕΙΕΡΟC Reclining River-god (Invent. Wadd.).— Games. ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑ; ΠΥΘΙΑ.

Prusias ad Hypium (Uskub), south of the Euxine, on the river Hypius. Imperial— Vespasian to Gallienus. Inscr., ΠΡΟΥCΙЄΩΝ; ΠΡΟΥCΙЄΩΝ ΠΡΟC ΥΠΙΩ. Types: ΥΠΙΟC, River-god Hypios recumbent; Demeter; Helios in chariot; Vase entwined by serpent; Caracalla sacrificing; Star and crescent; Youthful head (the founder (?): Journ. Int., i. p. 34).— Name of Proconsul, M. Plancius Varus, on coins of Vespasian.

Prusias ad Mare. See Cius, p. 513.

Tium (Filyas) on the Euxine, at the mouth of the river Billaeus. The earliest coins of Tium resemble those of Sesamus and Cromna. About B.C. 300 Tium, Cromna, Cytorus, and Sesamus were incorporated with the new city of Amastris. Of these towns Tium alone regained its autonomy probably in B.C. 282.

End of fourth century B.C.
Head of Zeus. ΤΙΑΝΟΝ Eagle.
Ć .4
[Imh., Gr. M., p. 588 f.]

Circ. B.C. 282.
ΤΙΑΝΟΣ Female head in stephane and sphendone. [Imh., Gr. M., p. 588 f.; Invent. Wadd.] Eleutheria seated, inscribing ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ.
Ć .7

Autonomous Ć (Imh., Gr. M., p. 589) of first century B.C., with name of Proconsul, C. Papirius Carbo, dated from Era beginning Sept. 282-1 B.C.

Imperial. Domitian to Gallienus, also quasi-auton. Inscr., ΤΙΑΝΩΝ. Types: ΖΕΥΣ ΣΥΡΓΑΣΤΗΣ (or CΥΡΓΑCΤΗΙΟC) standing; ΔΙΟΝΥΣΟΣ ΚΤΙΣΤ. standing; ΑΝΤΙΝΟΩΙ ΗΡΩΙ ΤΙΑΝΟΙ Antinoüs; River-god ΒΙΛΛΑΙΟC or ΒΙΛΛΑΟC; Head of the founder ΤЄΙΟC; ΑΣΚΛΗΠΙΟΣ ΣΩΤ(aerαερ) standing; ΥΓЄΙΑ standing; Isis; Caduceus; ΝΕΙΚΗ standing; ΝЄΜЄCΙC standing; Zeus and signs of Zodiac; Hades seated; Vine; Statue of Dionysos between two river-gods, ΒΙΛΛΑΙΟC and CΑΡΔΩ. Bendis in chariot (Imh., Gr. M., p. 607, No. 147); Dionysos supported by Pan (ib., No. 148)

Kings of Bithynia

[Reinach, Trois Royaumes; L 'hist. par les monn.; Wroth, BMC Pontus, Waddington, Reinach and Babelon, Rec gén. (Bithynie jusqu 'ŕ Juliopolis)].

Zipoetes I, B.C. 298-279 ?. No coins.

Nicomedes I, son of Zipoetes I, B.C. 279 ?-255 ?.

Head of Nicomedes I.
[Paris; Berlin: cf. BMC Pontus, p. xxxix.]
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ Female figure (Bendis ?), seated on rock holding spears.
AR Tetradrachm
(Attic standard, as all the AR of the Bithynian kings).
Id. Same inscr. Naked figure (Ares ?), seated on rock.
AR Dr.
(For Ć see BMC Pontus, p. xxxix f.; Journ. Int., 1898, p. 35; Rec gén., p. 219.)

Ziaëlas, son of Nicomedes I, B.C. 255 ?-235 ?.

Head of Ziaëlas. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΖΙΑΗΛΑ Trophy.
Ć .6
Wadd. Coll.; Journ. Int., 1898, p. 35. (Cf. Ath. Mittheil., 1905, p. 180.)

Prusias I, son of Ziaëlas, B.C. 238 ? - 183.

Head of Prusias I.
[Cf. BMC Pontus, p. xl.]
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ Zeus standing, crowning the royal name; symbol, fulmen; various monograms
AR Tetr.
Head of Apollo. Same inscr. Athena, winged, standing.
Ć 1.1
Id. „ „ Lyre.
Ć .7
Id. „ „ Bow and quiver.
Ć .75
(See also Journ. Int., 1901, p. 67 f., Hermes types; and Rec gén., p. 222 f.)

Prusias II, son of Prusias I, B.C. 183 ? -149.

Head of Prusias II, with wing attached to his diadem.
[Cf. BMC Pontus, p. xl.]
Inscr. and type as Prusias I, but symbol, eagle on fulmen; various monograms
AR Tetradrachm.
Id. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ Herakles standing.
Ć .7-.6
Head of Dionysos. Same inscr. Centaur Chiron with lyre.
Ć .85-.75
Eagle. Same inscr. Fulmen.
Ć .75
(For other Ć, see BMC Pontus, p. xlii, and Rec gén., p. 222 f.)

Nicomedes II (Epiphanes), son of Prusias II, B.C. 149-120?.

Head of Nicomedes II.
[Paris, Tr. Boy., p. 134; Rec. gén., p. 227, No. 39.]
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ Horseman with spear and round shield, galloping; with or without date, '160 '.
AV over 131 grs.


FIG. 267.
Head of Nicomedes II. (Fig. 267.) ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ Zeus standing, crowning the royal name; symbol, eagle on fulmen; various monograms and dates according to the Bithynian regal Era, beginning October 298 B.C. (Rec gén., p. 217 on Era).
AR Tetradrachm — (For Ć of Nicomedes II, III, or IV, see Trois Roy., p. 134; Rec gén., p. 233.)

 

Nicomedes III (Euergetes), son of Nicomedes II, B.C. 120?-92? (see L 'hist. par les monn., p. 167)— Tetradrachms resembling those of Nicomedes II, with various monograms and dates.

Nicomedes IV (Philopator), B.C. 92 ?-74. Tetradrachms resembling those of Nicomedes II, with various monograms and dates.



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Bithynia, a region of Asia Minor (deriving its name from the river Bithya), now Natolia, Turkey in Asia. It was one of ten provinces established by Augustus. Hadrian showed great favor to it (It was the birth place of Antinoüs). On a large brass of that emperor, we see ADVENTVI and RESTITVTORI BITHYNIAE, with the usual types of an imperial arrival at, and restoration of, a Roman province; in this instance marking the liberalities bestowed, by the above named prince, in re-establishing those Bithynian cities, which had been overthrown by earthquakes, principally Nicomedia and Nicaea.

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