Numismata hellenica: a catalogue of Greek coins; with notes, a map ...

Metal Size Weight
M 168-3
M
M
M
M
M
M
5i
5
5i
H
166-2
157-9
156-3
260-9
162-4
263-2
ASIATIC GREECE. J 27
TARSUS Ciliciffi.
Note.—Tarsus preserves its original name, and is still the largest town in Cilicia, though deprived
of its ancient harbour by the alluvion of the Cydnus, which had already in the time of Strabo eon-
verted it into a lagoon, and has now placed the town at twice its former distance from the sea.
Tarsus was a Phoenician city of remote antiquity. After the conquest of Cilicia and Syria by the
Assyrians, in the eighth century before Christ, it became the capital of a dependent principality of
the Assyrian monarchs until the overthrow of that empire, when its allegiance was transferred to
Persia, and so continued imtil the Macedonian conquest. At the time of the expedition of Xenophon
and the Ten Thousand, Tarsus was the residence of a prince of Cilicia, whom the Greeks called
Syennesis. It was one of the few Phoenician cities which preserved the use of the Phoenician language
on its coins as late as the Seleucid dynasty, though the Greek colony which it received from
Argos long before the Assyrian conquest was never extinct, nor the usual memorials of their descent
obsolete. The Tarsian coins of Roman times present frequent allusions to the Argive lieroes Her-
cules and Perseus.
Six PhcEnician letters (Baal-Tars). Half-draped and bearded male figure (Jupiter
Tarsius) seated to I. on a throne with a back ending in bird's head ; in
right
hand, hasta, on summit of which, eagle with spread wings ; in field to I., ear of
corn and vine with grapes ; below throne, a Phoenician M. B. Nineteen Phoenician
letters. Lion to I., seizing with fore-paws by the back of the neck a
bull kneeling to r. ; below these a line of walls with four towers, and under it
another similar line. From the Pembroke Collection (1201).
Note.— These nineteen Phoenician letters compose, according to the Duke de Luynes (Satrapies et
Phoenicie, p. 30), six words, expressing that " this leonine money was struck by Absohar, prince of
Cihcia Campestris." The present specimen is proved to have had currency under the Persian goyemment
by an incision through it extending to the centre, such as is found in many instances
on the Greek money of places where the Persians governed. A similar incision or impression is
often found on old Mahometan Persian money, and is still known in the East as the Shroff's mark.
As might be expected, it is common on Cilioian silver of Persian times. In the plates of those
coins, in the above-named work of the Duke de Luynes, there are no less than fifteen with this
barbarous Persian countermark.
Similar type, but throne without back, and in the right hand of Jupiter, ear of
corn, and grapes, upon which stands eagle to r. ; in field below,