Messenia, Thuria
Caracalla, 198-217 CE
Assarion AE 20mm, 2.82g, 8h
Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right
Rev. ΘΟΥΡΙΑΤΩΝ Tyche standing to left, holding a patera and cornucopia, Λ-Α across fields
BCD Peloponnesos I 833. NCP p. 66
Ex collection of John Aiello
Ex BCD collection
Ex Frank Kovacs October 1976
Thuria was an important city in ancient times and played a large role in the Third Messenian War. During the time of Augustus, it was placed in Lakonia. Tiberius returned it to Messenia. Pausanias visited the city and wrote about it. As far as we know, it only minted Roman provincial coinage.
During the 19th century, considerable ruins were recorded on the site. Today, though, not much remains, with most of the ruins likely serving as local building materials.
464 BCE
Third Messenian War arises at Thuria
182 BCE
Thuria captured by the Achaian League