Tyana was an ancient city in Cappadocia. It was the capital of a Luwian-speaking Neo-Hittite kingdom in the 1st millennium BC.
It is the reputed birthplace of the celebrated philosopher (and reputed saint, god, or magician) Apollonius of Tyana in the first century AD. Ovid (Metamorphoses VIII) places the tale of Baucis and Philemon in the vicinity. According to Strabo the city was known also as "Eusebeia at the Taurus". Under Roman Emperor Caracalla, the city became Antoniana colonia Tyana. After having sided with Queen Zenobia of Palmyra, it was captured by Aurelian in 272, who would not allow his soldiers to sack it, allegedly because Apollonius appeared to him, pleading for its safety.
In 372, Emperor Valens split the province of Cappadocia in two, and Tyana became the capital and metropolis of Cappadocia Secunda. In Late Antiquity, the city was also known as Christoupolis ("City of Christ").
It is the reputed birthplace of the celebrated philosopher (and reputed saint, god, or magician) Apollonius of Tyana in the first century AD. Ovid (Metamorphoses VIII) places the tale of Baucis and Philemon in the vicinity. According to Strabo the city was known also as "Eusebeia at the Taurus". Under Roman Emperor Caracalla, the city became Antoniana colonia Tyana. After having sided with Queen Zenobia of Palmyra, it was captured by Aurelian in 272, who would not allow his soldiers to sack it, allegedly because Apollonius appeared to him, pleading for its safety.
In 372, Emperor Valens split the province of Cappadocia in two, and Tyana became the capital and metropolis of Cappadocia Secunda. In Late Antiquity, the city was also known as Christoupolis ("City of Christ").
Modern location: Kemerhisar, three miles south of Niğde, Turkey
(1)
Ariarathes VI
Obverse: diademed head right
Reverse: Athena holding spear and Nike, shield at her feet; BAΣIΛEΩΣ / APIAPAΘOY / EΠIΦANOYΣ, M / A
Diameter:
17 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.9 g
(mint A)
Simonetta Collection 10, Simonetta 3 var. (K inner right right), Mørkholm Cappadocia I 4b var. (same), SNG Cop -, SNGvA -, BMC Galatia -
(2)
Ariarathes VII
Obverse: Diademed head right
Reverse: Athena holding spear and Nike, shield at her feet; BAΣIΛEΩΣ / APIAPAΘOY / ΦIΛOMHTOPOΣ, M / K / IA
Diameter:
17 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.98 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.98 g
No notes for this coin
SNGCop 141
(3)
Caracalla
Obverse: laureate head right; AVT KAI M AVP AN_TΩNINOC
Reverse: Zebu bull left; ANT KOΛΩNEIAC TYANΩN / ET IC
Diameter:
28 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.1 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.1 g
No notes for this coin
SNG LEWIS 1727
(4)
Lucius Verus
Obverse: ΑΥΤΟ Κ Λ ΟΥΗΡΟϹ ϹƐΒΑϹΤ, laureate-headed bust of Lucius Verus wearing cuirass and paludamentum, r.
Reverse: ΤΥΑΝƐⲰΝ Τ Π Τ ΙƐΡ ΑϹΥ ΑΥΤΟ ƐΤ Β, turreted Tyche seated, l., holding ears of corn and bunch of grapes, resting arm on seat, resting foot on swimming river-god (Euphrates); Tyche's seat decorated with griffin
Diameter:
21 mm
Die Orientation: 10 H
Weight: 8.81 g
Die Orientation: 10 H
Weight: 8.81 g
No notes for this coin
RPC IV.3, 8516 (temporary)