Marathos - or Amrit - was an ancient Phoenician city located near Tartus in Syria. It was founded in the third millennium BC and abandoned during the second century BC.
The city was probably founded by the Arvadites, and served as their continental base. It grew to be one of the wealthiest towns in the dominion of Arwad. The city surrendered, along with Arwad, to Alexander the Great in 333 BC.
During Seleucid times the town, known as Marathus, was probably larger and more prosperous than Arwad. In 219 BC Amrit gained independence from Arwad, and was later sacked by forces from the latter city in 148 BC.
The city was probably founded by the Arvadites, and served as their continental base. It grew to be one of the wealthiest towns in the dominion of Arwad. The city surrendered, along with Arwad, to Alexander the Great in 333 BC.
During Seleucid times the town, known as Marathus, was probably larger and more prosperous than Arwad. In 219 BC Amrit gained independence from Arwad, and was later sacked by forces from the latter city in 148 BC.
Modern location: Ruins
(1)
Marathos
Obverse: Veiled bust of Cleopatra I (wife of Ptolemy V) right
Reverse: Prow left; MRTS (aramaic script) / III¯NNN (73)
Diameter:
13 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.8 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.8 g
No notes for this coin
BMC Phoenicia p. 122, 15 -18 and SNG Cop 158
(2)
Marathos
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Obverse: Veiled head of Kleopatra I (or Berenike II) right
Reverse: Marathos standing left, leaning on column, holding aphlaston; mim rosh tau / shin tau zain qoph IIIIIIII beth / nun beth
Diameter:
20 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 9.04 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 9.04 g
qoph IIIIIIII is phoenician numeral for 108
J Rouvier 796 var
