1st Century BCE
AE 18.5mm 4.28g
Obv: laureate head of Zeus to right
Rev: TABHNΩ/N / Γ-O-P, caps of the Dioskouroi surmounted by stars
SNG von Aulock 2700; SNG München 437
The origin of the city name “Tabai” is believed to have either come from the word “Tabi” in Semitic, which means “good”, or “taba”, which means “rock”. I’m going to take the neutral path and assume there was a “good rock” that gave its name.
The best historical attestation came from Livy, for events from 189 BCE.
“From Antiochia they marched to a place called Gordiutichi, and a further three days’ march brought them to Tabae. This place lies within the frontiers of Pisidia, in that part which looks towards the Pamphylian sea. As this country was unwasted by war, its population were in a bellicose mood. On this occasion they made a vigorous attack on the Roman column and at first created some confusion, but when it became evident that they were outmatched in numbers and in courage and were driven back to their city, they craved for mercy and offered to surrender the city. A fine of 25 talents of silver and 10,000 medimni of wheat was imposed upon them. On these terms they were allowed to surrender.”