CILICIA. Soloi.(Circa 350-300 BC).Obol.

Obv : Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet.

Rev : ΣOΛEΩN.
Bunch of grapes on stalk with leaf and tendrils.
BMC 33 var. SNG Paris 184 var.
EX BIGA.

Condition : This coin is in well-preserved condition with a bright silver appearance and minimal tarnishing. The patina is subtle, adding a soft, aged look without detracting from the sharpness of the details. Both the helmeted figures on the obverse and the grape cluster on the reverse are clearly visible, showcasing excellent craftsmanship. The coin’s surfaces remain smooth, with only minor wear, emphasizing its historical integrity.Very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 3h

Weight : 0.64 gr
Diameter : 15 mm

Soloi, also known as Soli, was an ancient city located in Cilicia, a region along the southeastern coast of modern-day Turkey. It was one of the important cities of Cilicia, especially during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Soloi had a strategic location near the Mediterranean Sea, which made it a center for trade and commerce, connecting the eastern Mediterranean with other parts of the ancient world.

Founded by Greek colonists, Soloi’s early history is closely tied to Greek expansion and colonization. The city was reportedly established in the 8th or 7th century BC, possibly by settlers from Rhodes or Argos. The Greek influence on the city is evident in its culture, architecture, and political structures, although it also absorbed elements of local Anatolian traditions over time.

Soloi is perhaps best known for giving rise to the term “solecism,” which refers to incorrect or awkward use of language. This term emerged because the Greek spoken in Soloi was seen as a less refined version of the language compared to that spoken in the more prominent Greek city-states like Athens. As a result, people began referring to grammatical mistakes or non-standard Greek as “solecisms,” after the city.

The city of Soloi prospered during the Hellenistic period, particularly under the influence of the Seleucid Empire, one of the successor states of Alexander the Great’s empire. Soloi became a bustling center of trade, benefiting from its proximity to important sea routes. The city’s port allowed it to engage in commerce with various Mediterranean regions, contributing to its economic and cultural growth.

Soloi also played a role in the Roman period when Cilicia became a Roman province. The Romans recognized the strategic importance of Soloi and further developed its infrastructure, including roads, harbors, and public buildings. Under Roman rule, the city was known as Pompeiopolis, a name given in honor of the Roman general Pompey the Great. Pompey had defeated the pirates who had plagued the eastern Mediterranean, and the renaming of Soloi reflected his efforts to pacify and reorganize the region.

The city’s coins, particularly those from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, are valuable to historians and numismatists. Soloi’s coinage often featured symbols and deities associated with the city. For example, coins might display images of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, or other figures connected to Greek and Roman mythology. Some of Soloi’s coins also depict local symbols like an anchor or a dolphin, reflecting the city’s maritime connections.

The legacy of Soloi extends into philosophy and intellectual thought. The Stoic philosopher Chrysippus, one of the most significant figures in ancient Stoicism, was born in Soloi. His contributions to logic, ethics, and metaphysics were foundational to the development of Stoic philosophy, which would go on to influence Roman intellectuals and later Western thought.

Soloi eventually declined due to a combination of factors, including natural disasters such as earthquakes and the shifting of trade routes. By the late Roman and early Byzantine periods, the city had lost much of its former prominence. However, its archaeological remains, including ruins of public buildings, streets, and coins, continue to offer valuable insights into the history of ancient Cilicia and the wider Mediterranean world.

In conclusion, Soloi was a vital city in ancient Cilicia, playing an important role in trade, culture, and philosophy. Its Greek roots, Hellenistic growth, and Roman influence make it a fascinating subject for historians and archaeologists, while its coins and intellectual legacy continue to be of great interest to scholars today.