Ok, to be honest my coin has nothing to do with pirates, but Cilicia's history does though. Cicilia is located in the southern part of Anatolia, generally associated with its area of piracy. Cilician pirates dominated between 133-67 BC. Originally pirate attacks were directed against the Seleucids. Pompey defeated them in 67 BC and "revolutionised warfare" at the time. Around 102-100 BC Cilicia was made a Roman Province, and Marcus Antonius was commissioned to curb piracy. At that time pirates had allied with Mithridates (King of Pontos) to fight against Roman Dominance. Archaelogical evidence indicates that from the 13th to the 7th century BC, after the fall of the Assyrian Empire the region was known as Kedi/Kode. When it became an independent region ruled by the Syennesis Dynasty, later to be absorbed by the Persian Empire by Cyrus. I couldn't find any real blood and gore military history to justify my interest in the region. I did however find some great tid bits of some interesting history as well as some biblical history. These links are well worth the read in my opinion. http://www.livius.org/articles/place/cilicia/ http://bibleatlas.org/full/cilicia.htm Korykos/Corycus the city is said to be founded by a Cyprian Prince whom's name just happens to be Korykos. It was also known as the Port of Seleucia, where in 191 BC the fleet of Antiochus was defeated by the Romans. The city was first recognised in the beginning of the 1st century BC when the people claimed independency following political unrest after the death of Seleucid king Antiochus IV. First records go back to the Hetite Period, but main finds are as early as the Hellenistic Period. Korykos was a major import and trade center during the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzentine periods, and became the most importanttrade city in Cilicia for nearly 500 years during the Roman period. Trade resulted to construction of roads throughout Cilicia so goods could be harvested and transported coast to coast and to overseas regions, many of these roads and urbanization can still be observed in Korykos and have been a part of all the cities historical layers. Now for the god & goddess Tyche, the goddess of fortune and prosperity of a city in Greek mythology. The daughter of Aphrodite and either Zues or Hermes. Often depicted wearing a mural crown, a crown having the shapes of city walls. She was linked to Nemises, goddess of retribution, and Agathos Daimon the good spirit. Tyche appeared on many coins after the Hellenistic period. Hermes, Greek god of commerce, son of Zues and Maia. Cunning and quick acting, he was able to move between the worlds of man and gods, a messenger of the gods and a link between mortals and olympians. The protector of travelers, thieves and athletes. With the ability to move between worlds he served as a guide of souls of the dead to the under world and the after life. I recently bought this coin from @red_spork and at a nice deal. I've had it a few weeks but have been terribly busy. And it's an ex-Levante to boot. The obverse portrait of Tyche is just to good and a reverse with Hermes. It's just a great fit. It's a great coin in hand, the photo really doesn't do justice and my skills, well the seller pics are better than I could do Cilicia, Korykos. Circa 1st century BC. Æ22mm(6.30 gm). Turreted head of Tyche right; ΔΙ behind / Hermes standing left, holding phiale and caduceus. ΚΩΡΥΚΙΩΤΩΝ to right. SNG Levante 791 (this coin); cf. SNG France 1075; cf. SNG von Aulock 5679. Ex Eduardo Levante collection, CNG 66 lot 549 I recently bought a few other coins from the same region from the last Agora auction and a couple others from FAC and patiently waiting for those. As always feel free to pile on and/or comment
I love your new coin. In fact, I love it so much I have one similar: CILICIA, KORYKOS CITY COINAGE AE 19 OBVERSE: Turreted head of Tyche right; A behind. Circle of dots REVERSE: ΚΩΡΥΚΙΩΤΩΝ, Hermes standing left, holding caduceus, ΕΥ/ΕΠΙ/ΕΡ in left field Struck at Cilicia 1st century BC (100-30 BC) 5.87g, 19.42 SNG Levante 792; SNG France 1075
Excellent coin and writeup! This was a really interesting region, as was the diverse body of coinage struck here from the Greek period all the way to the Roman. A recent pickup of mine, also ex Levante Collection like your coin. CILICIA, Tarsos Tarkumuwa (Datames), Satrap of Cilicia and Cappadocia. AR Stater. 10.7g, 24.5mm. CILICIA, Tarsos, circa 375 BC. SNG Levante 85 (this coin); Casabonne Type 2; Moysey Issue 6; SNG France 282 = de Luynes 2839 = Traité II 609. O: Baaltars seated right, torso facing, holding grain ear, grape-bunch, and eagle-tipped scepter; lotus below throne; all within crenelated wall. R: Satrap, wearing Persian dress, seated right, holding arrow; winged solar disk to upper right, bow to lower right; c/m: bull standing right within incuse square. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 100 (7 October 2015), lot 1553; Classical Numismatic Group 96 (14 May 2014), lot 516; Eduardo Levante Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 64, 24 September 2003), lot 337.
Wonderful thread and posts!! I suppose it's mostly due to Hollywood but 'Cilician Pirates' also seemed to be one word instead of two to me This example recently was added to my collection: CILICIA, Seleucia ad Calycadnum. Gallienus. 253-268 AD. AE34. 16 grams Obv: AV T K POU LIK GALLIHNOC, radiate draped cuirassed bust right Rev: CELE UKEWNWN PROS KALU KADNW (below, above and around), Confronted busts of Apollo, laureate, facing right, laurel branch before, and Artemis-Tyche, facing left, cornucopiae behind.
Great write up, map, and coin for those Pirates! @Smojo I have one from the area, and my counterstamp supposedly drops it into the same Pirate time too... Cilicia - Tarsos turret counterstamped Bow Pompei Pirates AE 19 164 BCE Tyche-Zeus seated Ex: The Coin Pirate Himself Mr. @John Anthony !
Awesome coin and write up @Smojo! Very much enjoyed it. I wish I had one of these coins to contribute but unfortunately I don't have a relevant example. I do however think that Tyche as the personification of a city is a fascinating goddess. I recently came across a neat representation of Tyche at the Roman provincial capital of Salona in Croatia. Her image was part of the city gate as recognition of her association with the city's walls and its defense.
Like that depiction of Tyche better than what you see on most coins, I have a couple that almost make Tyche appear manlyish. Great photos to. Visiting the area is on my bucket list.
Thanks I highly recommend the whole Dalmatian Coast for anyone who likes classical and medieval history. I like the style of your new coin. She looks very matronly. I realized on my most recent trip that without my coin hobby I would understand a lot less of what I see when visiting the sites.
I have always had an interest in mythology, from Greek, Roman, Norse ect.. Goes hand in hand with history. This coin from the last Agora auction was a last minute grab only after I secured my target coin. No one had bid on it and it was one with I think a $30 opening bid. I don't have it in hand yet and hoping it is better than the seller photo suggests. It also is Cilician Cilicia, Aigeai. Ca. 164-27 B.C. AE 20 (19.71 mm, 5.34 g, 11 h). Turreted, draped, and veiled bust of Tyche right / AIΓEAIΩN THΣIEPAΣ KAI AVTONOMOY, bridled horse’s head left; monogram to right. SNG BN 2297; SNG
Nice coin, and great writeup, thank you! My only Cilician coin is this (budget) stater of Mazaios, satrap of Cilicia (361-334 BC). He participated in the battle of Gaugamela, and Alexander later appointed him satrap of Babylonia.
