COLCHIS.Dioscurias.Time of Mithradates VI.(Circa 105-90 BC).Ae.

Obv : Piloi of the dioskouroi surmounted by stars.

Rev : ΔΙΟΣ ΚΟVΡΙΑ ΔΟΣ.
Legend in three lines around thyrsos.
SNG BM Black Sea 1021-3; SNG Stancomb 638; HGC 7, 205.

Condition : The coin has a sandy-brown patina with darkened highlights on the raised elements, such as the designs and inscriptions. The surface shows signs of wear but retains a smooth texture. The contrast between the darker areas and the lighter patina adds to the visibility of the details. The overall condition suggests the coin has been well-preserved despite its age, with only minor surface imperfections visible.Very fine.

Material : Bronze.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 1.92 gr
Diameter : 13 mm

Dioscurias, an ancient city located in the region of Colchis (modern-day Georgia), was an important trading hub and a focal point of Greek colonization on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. The city, which later became known as Sebastopolis, was originally founded by Greek settlers from Miletus during the 6th century BCE. It is believed to have derived its name from the Dioscuri, the twin heroes Castor and Pollux of Greek mythology, who were regarded as patrons of sailors and voyagers, making it a fitting name for a coastal city involved in maritime trade.

Colchis was a region rich in mythological and historical significance. It was famously known in Greek mythology as the home of the Golden Fleece and the kingdom ruled by King Aeëtes, who was the father of Medea. The story of Jason and the Argonauts, a legendary Greek epic, centered on Jason's quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece from Colchis, marking the region as a place of great intrigue and wonder in the Greek imagination.

In historical terms, Colchis was a strategically important region, acting as a link between the Black Sea and the Caucasus, as well as between the Greek world and the interior of the Near East. The region’s wealth was derived from its fertile lands, gold resources, and its role as a gateway for goods traveling from the east. Colchis was known for its rich natural resources, including timber, minerals, and its control of trade routes that linked the Mediterranean with Central Asia.

Dioscurias was founded during the height of Greek colonization when Miletus, one of the most powerful Greek city-states, was establishing colonies around the Black Sea to facilitate trade and expand its influence. The city became a vital port for merchants trading with the indigenous peoples of the Caucasus and beyond. These local tribes, such as the Scythians, Sarmatians, and other nomadic groups, traded goods like grain, furs, slaves, and precious metals for Greek products, including wine, ceramics, and olive oil.

One of the remarkable aspects of Dioscurias was the diverse population that lived within and around the city. According to ancient sources, as many as 70 or even 300 different tribes and ethnic groups lived in the vicinity of Dioscurias, making it a melting pot of languages and cultures. Strabo, the Greek geographer, noted the linguistic diversity of the region, emphasizing the city's role as a hub of interaction between Greek settlers and the indigenous populations.

Dioscurias was also a center for the export of gold, one of Colchis’s most prized resources. Ancient Greek legends, including the story of the Golden Fleece, were likely inspired by Colchis’s wealth in gold. Historical evidence suggests that the inhabitants of Colchis used a form of alluvial mining, placing fleeces in rivers to trap gold particles, thus giving rise to the myth.

The city of Dioscurias represented the extent of Greek influence on the eastern shores of the Black Sea. While it was originally a Greek colony, it eventually became integrated into larger imperial structures. By the 1st century BCE, Dioscurias had come under the control of the Roman Empire as part of its expansion into the Caucasus region. The Romans saw the strategic value of Dioscurias, not only as a trading center but also as a military outpost that could help secure the empire’s northeastern borders.

Under Roman rule, the city was renamed Sebastopolis, in honor of the emperor Augustus (the word "Sebastos" being the Greek equivalent of "Augustus"). Roman emperors, particularly under the reign of Nero and Trajan, focused on strengthening Roman control over the Black Sea region and integrating the local economies into the larger imperial system. Sebastopolis became an important military base for Roman forces, securing the frontier against the Sarmatians, Alans, and other nomadic tribes who posed threats to Roman-controlled territories.

Like many ancient cities, Dioscurias (Sebastopolis) faced a gradual decline due to several factors. By the 4th and 5th centuries AD, the city was weakened by a combination of factors, including invasions by nomadic tribes, changes in trade routes, and shifting political alliances in the region. The rise of the Byzantine Empire in the east saw the city become part of the Byzantine sphere of influence, but its importance as a commercial and political center diminished.

Over time, Dioscurias-Sebastopolis was abandoned, and much of the city disappeared beneath the sands of time. However, its legacy remains as a symbol of the complex interaction between Greek colonists and the indigenous peoples of the Caucasus. It also serves as a reminder of Colchis’s importance as a crossroads between different cultures, economies, and empires throughout the ancient world.

Today, the remains of ancient Dioscurias are believed to be located near the modern town of Sukhumi in Abkhazia, a disputed territory along the coast of the Black Sea. Archaeological excavations in the area have uncovered traces of the ancient city, including parts of its harbor, fortifications, and various artifacts that point to its role as a thriving trade center. The cultural and historical significance of Dioscurias continues to capture the interest of historians and archaeologists, who see the city as a key piece in understanding the broader history of Greek colonization and the ancient trade networks that connected the Mediterranean with the East.

In conclusion, Dioscurias was a vital center of commerce, culture, and interaction between the Greek world and the indigenous peoples of the Caucasus and the broader Black Sea region. Its role in the ancient world as a thriving port and a melting pot of languages and cultures highlights the importance of Colchis as a historical crossroads. While the city eventually declined, its legacy endures as part of the rich history of Greek colonization and its lasting influence on the ancient world.