Syedra, Cilicia
Trajan 98-117 CE
AE 20mm 6.15g
KAICAR NEROY TRAIANOC, laureate head right.
CYE-DRE, Artemis standing front, head left, quiver behind shoulder, holding pomegranate and sceptre.
RPC III 2757
Syedra earned its fame from being the location of Pompey’s last war council before he headed to Egypt, where he lost his head. It was settled in the 7th century BCE and was divided into two – a port by the sea and the main town 400m above it. Significant ruins of the upper town still exist.
The name of the town is unknown, but may come from a stream of the same name that passes through the area, or from the cedar trees common in the region.
The city had a long struggle with piracy, at times resisting, though perhaps in others taking part. Excavations are ongoing, including underwater at the port, where artifacts from 5000 years ago have been uncovered.
Pompey holds his last war council in Syedra
Septimius Severus praises Syedra for its resistance to piracy