Epiphaneia, Cilicia
Otacilia Severa 244 CE
Ae 29mm, 17.5g
Obv: OTAKEILIA CEOYHPA CEB; Draped bust right
Rev: EPIFANEWN ET AIT; Apollo standing front, head left and legs crossed, holding branch in right hand and resting left on a lyre placed on column
RPC VIII 2183
Epiphaneia was a city in Cilicia Tracheia and was originally called Oiniandos. In the 2nd century BCE, Antiochos IV Epiphanes named it in honor of himself. Cicero stayed in the city briefly during his exile. When Pompey vanquished the pirates of Cilicia, many of them settled in Epiphaneia. In fact, their local calendar began from Pompey’s victory in 67-66 BCE.
Supposedly, Saint George was born in Epiphaneia. The dragon may have been from a neighboring city. Some of the ruins of the city remain, including an aqueduct.