Utica
- A settlement in Proconsularis
Utica was an ancient city located between Carthage in the south and Hippo Diarrhytus (now Bizerte) in the north, near the outflow of the Medjerda River into the Mediterranean.
It is traditionally considered to be the first colony to have been founded by the Phoenicians in North Africa. The actual founding date of Utica is controversial. Several classical authors date its foundation to around 1100 BC. The archaeological evidence, however, suggests a foundation no earlier than the eighth century BC.
After the defeat of Carthage by Rome, Utica was an important Roman colony for seven centuries. In AD 439, the Vandals captured Utica, in AD 534 the Byzantines captured it once more. Finally the Arabs were responsible for its ultimate destruction around AD 700.
It is traditionally considered to be the first colony to have been founded by the Phoenicians in North Africa. The actual founding date of Utica is controversial. Several classical authors date its foundation to around 1100 BC. The archaeological evidence, however, suggests a foundation no earlier than the eighth century BC.
After the defeat of Carthage by Rome, Utica was an important Roman colony for seven centuries. In AD 439, the Vandals captured Utica, in AD 534 the Byzantines captured it once more. Finally the Arabs were responsible for its ultimate destruction around AD 700.
Modern location: Ruins
(1)
M. Porcius Cato Uticensis
46 BC
Obverse:
head of Bacchus or Liber right wearing ivy wreath; M·C(AT)O·PRO·PR
Reverse:
seated Victory right holding patera and palm; VIC(TR)IX
(2)
M. Porcius Cato Uticensis
47-46 BC
Obverse:
draped bust Roma or Libertas rirgt; M·CATO·PRO·PR
Reverse:
Victory seated right, holding patera and palm; VIC(TR)IX
(3)
Metellus Scipio
47-46 BC
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Obverse:
G T A above, Q METEL PIVS right, SCIPIO IMP left, the Genius of Africa (Sekhmet the lion-headed Egyptian goddess) standing facing, holding ankh in right hand
Reverse:
P CRASSVS IVN right, LEG PRO P R left - Victory standing left, holding winged caduceus in right hand, small round shield in left
(4)
Metellus Scipio
|
M. Eppius
47-46 BC
Obverse:
head of Africa right, laureate and clad in elephant scalp, stalk of grain right, plough below; Q·METELL__SCIPIO·IMP
Reverse:
naked Herakles facing, leaning on club set on rock draped with lion's skin; EPPIVS__LEG·F·C