Tiberias Claudiopolis, Judaea
Hadrian 117-138 CE
Ae 22mm, 9.6g
Obv: AVT TRA ADRIANOC KAIC CEB; Laureate bust right
Rev: TIBER KLAVD; Tyche-Astarte standing left with foot on prow holding bust and spear; L – AP across fields
SNG ANS 1114-5
Tiberias today remains under the same name, and is a major Israeli city on the Sea of Galilee. Founded in 20 BCE by Heron Antipas, it quickly became an important city after the destruction of Jerusalem. Later, it was renamed in honor of the Roman emperor Tiberias. Several hot springs were located near it, and though it was initially populated by non-Jewish, it soon became a center of Judaism.
During the First Jewish-Roman war, the city was briefly occupied by rebels, who were then ousted by Heron Agrippa II, who had remained loyal to Rome. For this reason, the city was not destroyed. Similarly, the city did not take part in the Bar Kochba revolts, and thus when the Jews were banished from Judaea, many settled in Tiberias. Eventually, it became a center of Jewish scholarship.
Tiberias founded by Herod Antipas
Herod Agrippa II annexes Tiberias to his kingdom
Jews are expelled from Judaea due to the Bar Kochba revolts. Many flee to Tiberias.
The Sanhedrin, Jewish court, settles in Tiberias