CILICIA. Nagidos.(Circa 400-380 BC).Obol.

EX BIGA.

Condition : The coin is in a worn condition, with some details on the obverse and reverse being faint or eroded. The surface shows a silvery-gray patina, suggesting oxidation over time. The patina is even, indicating that the coin has been well-preserved despite the wear.Very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 6h

Weight : 0.60 gr
Diameter : 9 mm

Nagidos was an ancient city located on the coast of Cilicia, a historically significant region in southern Anatolia, present-day Turkey. Cilicia was known for its mountainous terrain and fertile coastal plains, and Nagidos occupied a strategic position on the Mediterranean coast, which allowed it to play a vital role in trade and maritime activities. The city was originally founded as a colony by the Greek settlers from Samos during the 6th century BCE, at a time when Greek city-states were expanding their influence throughout the Mediterranean.

As a coastal city, Nagidos benefited from its access to the sea, engaging in trade with various regions across the Mediterranean, including Greece, Egypt, and the Levant. The city's economy likely revolved around the exchange of goods such as olive oil, wine, timber, and agricultural products from the fertile lands of Cilicia, as well as goods brought from other regions. The proximity of Nagidos to major trade routes made it a hub for the exchange of luxury items and commodities between the East and West. This economic activity helped the city prosper and develop into a significant urban center.

Nagidos also had a close relationship with other nearby cities, including the larger and more dominant Cilician city of Soloi. The political status of Nagidos shifted over time, as it came under the influence of various regional powers. It was initially a self-governing city, maintaining a degree of autonomy under the rule of local kings or tyrants. However, as the Achaemenid Persian Empire expanded its control over Asia Minor, Nagidos, like many other cities in the region, came under Persian dominion during the 5th and 4th centuries BCE.

Despite Persian control, Nagidos retained its Greek identity and culture, evident in the city's coinage, inscriptions, and architecture, which display strong Hellenic influences. The city minted its own coins, featuring images of deities like Aphrodite and Dionysus, who were important to the local population. The existence of its own coinage indicates that Nagidos was economically prosperous and maintained a level of political independence even under foreign rule.

After the fall of the Achaemenid Empire following Alexander the Great's conquest of Persia in the late 4th century BCE, Nagidos became part of the Hellenistic world. Under the rule of the Seleucid Empire, one of the successor states of Alexander's empire, the city continued to flourish as a center of commerce. During this period, Nagidos was often involved in regional power struggles between the Seleucids and the Ptolemies of Egypt, both of whom sought control over Cilicia's coastal cities.

The city's fortunes changed when Cilicia came under Roman control in the 1st century BCE. As part of the Roman Empire, Nagidos lost much of its political autonomy but continued to function as a significant port and trade center. The Pax Romana (Roman Peace) brought stability to the region, allowing trade to flourish without the constant threat of piracy or military conflict. However, over time, the city began to decline, possibly due to changes in trade routes or competition from other nearby cities, such as Tarsus and Soloi.

Nagidos's cultural and religious life reflected the diverse influences that shaped the region. While it was predominantly Greek in character, the city also absorbed elements of Eastern religions and customs due to its interactions with Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman rulers. Temples and sanctuaries dedicated to Greek gods, such as Aphrodite, were prominent in Nagidos, but local deities and Eastern influences were likely incorporated into the religious practices of the inhabitants.

Archaeological evidence from Nagidos is relatively limited, but the remains of city walls, coins, and inscriptions provide insight into the city's history and its role in the broader Cilician and Mediterranean world. Today, the site of ancient Nagidos is located near the modern town of Bozyazı in Turkey, though much of the ancient city lies in ruins. The site's significance lies in its testament to the complex interactions between Greek, Persian, and Roman cultures in the ancient Mediterranean, and its role as a coastal hub in the exchange of goods and ideas across civilizations.

Nagidos, while not as famous as other ancient cities, holds an important place in the history of Cilicia and the broader ancient world due to its strategic location, economic activity, and cultural influences from multiple civilizations. Its history exemplifies the dynamic and interconnected nature of the Mediterranean during antiquity, where trade, culture, and politics constantly shaped and reshaped the fortunes of cities and their inhabitants.