circa 350-250 BCE
Æ 9 mm, 1,06 g
I currently have two coins from Smyrna. The first was minted by Lysimachos during the time when he had renamed the city Eurydikeia in honor of his daughter, who he later executed. The second is a more ‘standard’ issue of Smyrna, though I’m not sure from when.
Part of the problem is I believe the magistrate was cut off on the right. There appears to be lettering, but it’s nearly impossible to guess what. I’ve seen varying dates for these types of coins, from mid-third century to mid-second century, so I’m not sure exactly when it was minted.
I have a personal connection to Smyrna as some of my relatives emigrated from the city, which by then had been renamed to Izmir.
Smyrna has a long history, having been first settled during the 3rd millenium BCE. That means Alexander the Great’s invasion came roughly at the mid-point in its history. When Alexander took control, he planned for the signifcant enlargement and improvement of the city, which was undertaken by his successors Antigonos I Monophthalmos and Lysimachos.
During ancient times, the city was often praised as among the most beautiful in the world. The ruins of the ancient city may still be seen.
Alyattes of Lydia takes Smyrna, then attacks but fails to take Klazomenai.
Erythrai submits to Alexander the Great, who plans to create a canal on the peninsula to connect Teos to Smyrna.
Smyrna is renamed to Eurydikeia by Lysimachos in honor of his daughter Eurydike.
The city of Rome was deified in Smyrna as the goddess Roma.
Antiochos III, desiring to meet Rome in battle, is detained by the cities of Alexandria Troas, Smyrna, and Lampsakos, which refused entreaties.
Adramytteion, Smyrna, Sestos, Synnada, Laodikeia ad Lykon, Attalaia, Erythrai, Ephesos, Perge, and Assos come under Roman control after Attalos III, the last Attalid king, leaves it to Rome in his will.
126 BCE
Manius Aquillius is governor of Asia and rebuilds the road from Adramytteion to Smyrna.
Adramytteion, Ephesos, Pergamon, Magnesia, Tralles, Apamea, Samos, Kolophon, Smyrna, and Sardis occupied by Mithridates VI as part of the Mithridatic Wars against Rome.
Sulla defeats Mithridates VI and ends the Mithridatic Wars with the Treaty of Dardanos. Adramytteion, Ephesos, Pergamon, Smyrna, Sardis, Tralles, Kolophon, Apamea, and Magnesia return to Roman control.
Adramytteion, Aigai, Apollonis, Smyrna, Sardis and Magnesia are severely damaged by an earthquake. Tiberius provides financial support.
Smyrna is heavily damaged by an earthquake and rebuilt by Marcus Aurelius.