Kingdom of Bithynia, Nikomedes II Epiphanes
Dated BE 188 = 110/9 BCE
AR Tetradrachm 16.35g, 33mm, 12h.
Diademed head to right
Zeus Stephanophoros standing to left, holding wreath and sceptre; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, EΠIΦANOYΣ NIKOMHΔOY to left, eagle on thunderbolt over monogram above HΠP (date) to inner left.
RG 40 (date and monogram combination not listed); DCA 444; HGC 7, 642.
Nicomedia was a major city in the Kingdom of Bithynia and later in the Roman Empire. It was founded in 712 BCE by settlers from Megara and later destroyed by Lysimachos. Nikomedes I of Bithynia rebuilt it sometime later and named it after himself.
Under the Roman Empire, the city flourished. It even served as the eastern capital under Diocletian, and served as the capital for six years under Constantine while he awaited the completion of Constantinople.
Pliny the Younger served as governor there, and many of his letters were penned there. He wrote about the heavy corruption and waste of funds to Trajan. It is believed Pliny the Younger died there.
Kings of Bithynia. Nikomedeia. Nikomedes III Euergetes
Dated BE 172 = 126/5 BCE
AR Tetradrachm 36 mm, 15,94 g
Obv: Diademed head of Nikomedes III
Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / EΠIΦANOΥΣ / NIKOMHΔOΥ Zeus Stephanophoros standing left; to inner left, eagle standing left on thunderbolt above monogram and BOP monogram
SNG von Aulock 6894
Kings of Bithynia. Nikomedeia. Nikomedes IV Philopator
Dated 92/91 BCE
Tetradrachm AR 34mm, 15,73g
diademed head right
rev., Zeus standing left with wreath and sceptre; dated year 206
Rec. Gen p. 232
Nicomedia founded by colonists from Megara
Nicomedia rebuilt by Nikomedes I of Bithynia
Pliny the Younger complains to Trajan that Nicomedia has wasted funds on an aqueduct
Nicomedia sacked by Goths
Diocletian makes Nicomedia the eastern capital of the Roman Empire
February 23
Diocletian orders the newly built church at Nicomedia destroyed
Nicomedia serves as a temporary capital for Constantine
Capital of Roman Empire moved from Nicomedia to Byzantion by Constantine
August 24
Nicomedia heavily damaged by an earthquake