4th century BCE
Chalkous AE 15.5 mm, 3.79 g
Helmeted head of Athena to right. Rev. KOΛΩNAEΩN between the rays of an eight-pointed star.
SNG Copenhagen 277. SNG von Aulock 1552
Kolone, also called Kolonai, was a city believed to have been founded by Aeolians that was eventually swallowed up into the city of Alexandreia Troas, which was founded by Antigonos I Monophthalmos and renamed for Alexander the Great.
It’s generally believed that, though the area was occupied since prehistoric times, it was founded as a Greek city by settlers from Lesbos, and most likely from Mytilene.
The name for the city comes from the Greek word for ‘hill mound’, which explains why several cities have that name. There was one near Lampsakos, Mysia, Attica, Thessaly, and Phokis.
Strabo mentions a sanctuary to Apollo there, but there’s no mention of Athena, who is depicted on this coin’s obverse. Perhaps that was due to a relationship with Athens at the time.
The legendary king of Kolone was Cycnus, who was killed on the first day of fighting by Achilles.
4th century BCE
AE 10mm 1.10g
Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right.
Rev: KOΛΩNAΩN within star or stellate pattern of nine rays.
SNG Copenhagen 277; SNG von Aulock 1559
The above coin interestingly includes nine rays in the star instead of the usual eight. I believe there was a specific reason, but I’ve been so far unable to uncover it.
Estimated foundation of Kolone, probably by settlers from Mytilene.
The Spartan general Pausanias flees to Kolone.
Athens detaches Kolone , Ophrynion, and Larissa Ptolemais from Mytilene in punishment for their revolt.
397 BCE
Deryklidas of Sparta supports the Ionian Greeks against the Persians. He besieges Atarneos for eight months until they accept his terms and takes Hamaxitos, Kolonai, and Ilion. This ends in an armistice with Pharnabazos.
Alexandria Troas founded by Antigonos I Monophthalmos from the cities of Neandria, Skepsis, Hamaxitos, Kolone, Kebren, Larissa-Ptolemais, and Achilleion.