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Bronze - Æ 18-20 mm - 5,8 grams - Die axis 12:00. |
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- Legend indiscernible -
Head of grumpy old man facing right. No taenea ! Countermark at bottom of Ships Anchor, possibly stamped after his death at the battle of Actium.
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[BAΣIΛEΩΣ] / [TA]PKON[ΔIMOTOY] / [ΦIΛANTΩNIOY] (Basileos Taakondimotou Philantoniou - King T. Friend of the Antonines). Zeus, with Himation, diademed and bearded, seated on chair, body full front, facing left. Holding staff with left arm and upholding statue of winged Nike (facing him).
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Anazarbos, Anavarza, or Dilekkaya (Cliff of Wishes) as it is known today, lies at the foot of a massive rock prominence some 60 km north of the Province capital of Adana. The rocky spur, a ridge descending from the Taurus range, stretches ca 4.5 km into the Cilician Plain, towering 220 m above it. It was this rocky prominence, originally known as Anazarbos, from which the ancient city on its west flank took its name. Most unusually, in addition to a circus and a theater, Anabarzos boasted an amphitheater as well.
In 67 BC Pompeius handed the entirety of the surrounding territory over to the former pirate Tarkondimotos. At first he was an ally of Pompeius, then Caesar, Cassius' and at last Marc Anthony. It was this last person who confirmed his status of King of Anazarbos in Cilicia. Since then he carried the extra name Philantonios ('Lover' (i.e. Friend) of Antony). Tarkondimotos I 'Philantonios' thus became king of Anazarbos and ally of Rome. Tarkondimotos died in 31 BC the battle of Actium, when the left flank leader Gaius Sosius, opened the flank for MA & Cleo to escape. He was succeded by his son Tarkondimotos II 'Philopator'. After his son's death the region came under direct Roman rule.
Cicero, who as regent of Cilicia (52 BC) acquired vital data on the Parths through Tarkondimotos I, called him in 51 BC 'fidelissimus socius trans Taurum amicissimusque populi Romani' (steadfastest ally and best friend of the roman people). The name Tarkan stills exists, for boys, in these area's.
Minted in the subordinate Kingdom of Anazarbus.
Obv.: Face is good - Rev. : Worn.
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