Decapolism, Abila
Lucius Verus Dated Year 226 – 162/3 CE
AE 24.51mm 9.92g
Obverse: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ Λ ΑΥΡ ΟΥΗΡΟϹ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Reverse: ϹЄ ΑΒΙΛΗΝⲰΝ Ι Α Α Γ ΚΟΙ ϹΥ, Herakles seated left on pile of rocks, resting club on ground in front of him; ςKC (date) in exergue
RPC IV.3 Online 6512; Rosenberger 9
Ex The Mount Vernon Collection
Ex Superior Stamp & Coin 1976
Abila today is located at the very northern border of Jordan, next to Lebanon and Syria. It was first settled no later than 4000 BCE, though it wasn’t of any great size until later. Its first Hellenistic mention is when captured by Antiochos III. Over a hundred years later, it was taken by Alexander Jannaios.
Under the Romans it thrived and minted coins, which are relatively rare. It was a member of the Decapolis, which we know from an inscription found there, even though Pliny didn’t include it. Modern archeology suggest Herakles was worshipped at Abila, which is reinforced by this coin.
Abila is captured by Antiochos III
Approximate date of the capture of Abila by Alexander Jannaios
The Romans under Pompey capture Abila and give it independence