Hierapolis - 'Holy City' - was founded as 'Mnbg' and was part of the kingdom of Bit Adini and was annexed by the Assyrians in 856 BC.
As a center of the worship of the Syrian goddess Atargatis, it became known to the Greeks as the Ἱερόπολις (Hieropolis) 'city of the sanctuary', and finally as Ἱεράπολις (Hierapolis) 'holy city'.
Some three hundred priests served the shrine and there were numerous minor ministrants. The lake was the centre of sacred festivities and it was customary for votaries to swim out and decorate an altar standing in the middle of the water. Self-mutilation and other orgies went on in the temple precinct, and there was an elaborate ritual on entering the city and first visiting the shrine.
As a center of the worship of the Syrian goddess Atargatis, it became known to the Greeks as the Ἱερόπολις (Hieropolis) 'city of the sanctuary', and finally as Ἱεράπολις (Hierapolis) 'holy city'.
Some three hundred priests served the shrine and there were numerous minor ministrants. The lake was the centre of sacred festivities and it was customary for votaries to swim out and decorate an altar standing in the middle of the water. Self-mutilation and other orgies went on in the temple precinct, and there was an elaborate ritual on entering the city and first visiting the shrine.
Modern location: Manbij, Syria
(1)
Antoninus Pius
An
AE
unit
struck 140-141 AD
in
Hierapolis (Syria)
Obverse: laureate bust right from behind; ΑΥΤ(Ο) ΚΑΙ ΤΙ(Τ) ΑΙΛ(Ι) ΑΔΡΙ ΑΝΤωΝEΙΝΟϹ ϹEΒ(Α) (EYϹEΒ(Η))
Reverse: legend within wreath; ΘEΑϹ ϹΥΡΙ / ΑϹ ΙEΡΟΠ / Γ
Diameter:
22 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 9.4 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 9.4 g
No notes for this coin
RPC IV.3, 6975 (temporary); BMC 16-18
(2)
Caracalla
An
AR
Tetradrachm
struck 215-217 AD
in
Hierapolis (Syria)
Obverse: radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right from behind; AVT·K·M·A·_ANTΩNEINOC__CEB·
Reverse: eagle facing, head right, wreath in beak; below lion right; ΔHMAPX EΞ V_ΠATOC TO·Δ·
Diameter:
25 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 15.5 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 15.5 g
No notes for this coin
Prieur 932
(3)
Macrinus
An
AR
Tetradrachm
struck 217-218 AD
in
Hierapolis (Syria)
Obverse: laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right AYT·K·M·OΠEΛ_·CE·MAKPINOC_·CE
Reverse: eagle facing, head right, wreath in beak, lion right between legs ΔHMAP·X·EΞ·VΠATOC
Diameter:
23 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 12.2 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 12.2 g
No notes for this coin
Prieur 943