Tyras
Τύρας | |
 Remains of Tyras, near the medieval walls of theBilhorod-Dnistrovskyi fortress. | |
  Shown within Ukraine  Tyras (Odesa Oblast) | |
| Location | Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi,Odesa Oblast,Ukraine |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 46°12′3″N30°21′6″E/ 46.20083°N 30.35167°E |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Builder | Settlers fromMiletus |
| Founded | Approximately 600 BC |
| Abandoned | Late 4th century AD |
| Periods | Archaic GreektoRoman Imperial |
| Cultures | Greek,Roman |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Ownership | Public |
| Public access | Yes |
Tyras(Ancient Greek:Τύρας) was anancient Greekcity on the northern coast of theBlack Sea.It was founded by colonists fromMiletus,probably about 600 BC. The city was situated some 10 km from the mouth of theTyras River,which is now called theDniester.The surrounding native tribe was called theTyragetae.The ruins of Tyras are now located in the modern city ofBilhorod-Dnistrovskyiin theOdesa OblastofUkraine.
History[edit]
Of great importance in early times, in the 2nd century BC Tyras fell under the dominion of native kings whose names appear on its coins, and it was destroyed by theGetaeabout 50 BC.[1]
In 56 AD, it seems to have been restored by theRomansunderNeroand henceforth formed part of the province ofLower Moesia.There exists a series of its coins with heads of emperors fromDomitiantoAlexander Severus.[1]
Indeed, the autonomous minting of coins in the city lasted from the time of the emperor Domitian (81 AD) up to the end of the reign of the emperor Alexander Severus (235 AD) with few breaks. The coins of Tyras of this period were of copper with the portraits of the members of the Imperial house for the province of the Roman Empire.
In Tyras was stationed a small unit of the Roman fleet,Classis Flavia Moesica.
Soon after the time of Alexander Severus, it was partially destroyed by theGoths,but archaeological findings show that Romans remained there until the end of the 4th century underTheodosius I.Later theByzantinesrenamed the city, destroyed by barbarian invasions, with the new nameMaurokastron,"black fort".
Its government was in the hands of fivearchons,asenate,a popular assembly and a registrar. The images on its coins suggest a trade in wheat, wine and fish. The few inscriptions are also mostly concerned with trade.[1]
Remains of the city are scant, as its site has been covered by the great medieval fortress called by theGenoeseMaurocastro(and later Akkerman/Cetatea Albă).[1]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Minns, Ellis Hovell(1911). "Tyras".InChisholm, Hugh(ed.).Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 27 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 548.This work in turn cites:
- E. H. Minns.Scythians and Greeks(Cambridge, 1909)
- V. V. Latyshev,Inscriptiones Orae Septentrionalis Ponti Euxini,Volume I.
Further reading[edit]
- Kleiman, I. B.(2001). "Defensive Structures on the Territory of Tyras". In Tsetskhladze, Gocha R. (ed.).North Pontic Archaeology: Recent Discoveries and Studies.Colloquia Pontica. Vol. 6. Leiden: Brill. pp. 53–66.ISBN9789004120419.
- Karyshkovskij, Petr O.;Kleiman, Isaac B.(1994).The City of Tyras: A Historical and Archaeological Essay.Odesa: Polis Press.ISBN9785770745313.
