Solus was a phoenician city in Sicily. The name appears in surviving coins as Solontînos but appears variously in other sources as Solóeis, Soloûs and Solountînos.
The date of its first occupation is unknown. From its proximity to Panormus, Soluntum was one of the few colonies that the Phoenicians retained when they gave way before the advance of the Greek colonies in Sicily, and withdrew to the northwest corner of the island. It later passed to the Carthagenians.
During the First Punic War we find it still subject to Carthage, and it was not till after the fall of Panormus that Soluntum also opened its gates to the Romans. It continued to subsist under the Roman dominion as a municipal town, but apparently one of no great importance, as its name is only slightly and occasionally mentioned by Cicero. It is probable that its complete destruction dates from the time of the Saracens.
The date of its first occupation is unknown. From its proximity to Panormus, Soluntum was one of the few colonies that the Phoenicians retained when they gave way before the advance of the Greek colonies in Sicily, and withdrew to the northwest corner of the island. It later passed to the Carthagenians.
During the First Punic War we find it still subject to Carthage, and it was not till after the fall of Panormus that Soluntum also opened its gates to the Romans. It continued to subsist under the Roman dominion as a municipal town, but apparently one of no great importance, as its name is only slightly and occasionally mentioned by Cicero. It is probable that its complete destruction dates from the time of the Saracens.
Modern location: Solunto ruins, Italy
(1)
Solus
Obverse: head of Athena half left wearing Corinthian helmet
Reverse: warrior kneeling right, drawing bow, shooting arrow; KPRA (kapara meaning village)
Diameter:
15 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.3 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.3 g
No notes for this coin
cf. Calciati I pg. 310, 5 (same); SNG ANS 743.