Lydia, Saitta
Otacilia Severa 244-249 CE
Æ 20mm, 3,97g
Draped bust right wearing stephane /
River-god Hermos reclining left, holding reed and resting elbow on urn from which water flows
Kurth 158; Hochard 1751 (D51/R90); RPC VIII Online 20231
Saitta was an ancient city whose ruins are still visible, including a stadium and several temples.
The city had a temple of Apollo Aksyros. An inscription from the temple was looted from the ruins and found in a shop in Florence, from where it was repatriated to Turkey. The inscription reads.
Melita and Makedon stole Eia’s fishnet and other belongings. Therefore, they were punished by God. Their parents consulted Apollon Aksyros for their sake and made a vow.
Saitta was one of the cities of the Katakekaumene decapolis, which was around from Hellenistic to Roman times. The other cities were Satala, Maeonia, Tabala, Bagis, Silandos, Daldis, Philadelphia, Apollonos-Hieron, and Mesotimolos. The name comes from “burnt land”, with Katakekaumene supposedly the location of a battle between Zeus and Typhon.