Ancient Coin Stories

Let coins tell their stories…

Aigeai, Cilicia
ca 164-27 BCE
AE 21.0mm 6.8g
Obv: Turreted, draped and veiled bust of Tyche right
Rev: AIΓEAIΩN THΣIEPAΣ KAI AVTONOMOY, Bridled horse’s head left, monogram to right
SNG BN 2297

Aigai was spelled a number of different ways, such as Aegaeae. Now try that one in a spelling bee! It was located around the modern day city of Yumurtalik, Turkey.

In the ancient times, Aigai was an important city, but by the time of Strabo it was mentioned only as a small town with a mooring port. Its coinage starts only in the 2nd century BCE.

Brutus, the famed assassin of Julius Caesar, used the sword of Strato of Aigai to kill himself after he was defeated in battle near Philippi.

Almost nothing remains of the ancient town, though there are still a number of medieval fortifications.

333 BCE

Alexander the Great conquers Cilicia, including Aigai.Tarsos (where he became ill after a swim in the Kydnos River), Soloi, Issos, and Mallos, where he made sacrifices.

301 BCE

Following the victory in the Battle of Ipsos, Cilicia comes under Seleukid control with Seleukos I Nikator. This included Aigai.Tarsos, Soloi, Issos, and Mallos.

241 BCE

The Ptolemaic Kingdom takes vast territories as a result of the Third Syrian War against the Seleukids. Tyre, Byblos, Sidon, Mallos, Soloi, Tarsos, and Aigai come under Ptolemaic control.

102 BCE

Aigai, Tarsos, Mallos, and Soloi in Cilicia is affected by Roman efforts to reduce the level of piracy in the region.

67 BCE

Pompey the Great is assigned with reducing piracy in Cilicia and successfully does so, liberating Aigai, Soloi, Mallos, and Tarsos from their yoke. Many of the pirates are resettled in Dyme.

47 BCE

Julius Caesar visits Aigai during his campaign in the east. He also visits Antioch and declares its freedom.

31 BCE
October

After the Battle of Actium (near Ambrakia), Augustus consolidates his control over the Roman Empire, and Cilicia is firmly incorporated as part of the Roman sphere of influence. Aigai, Tarsos, Mallos, and Soloi become part of the Roman Province of Cilicia.