Basic information Coinage in the Classical Period

Ancient Greek name:	Ἀνεμούριον 1
Latinised name:	Anemurium

 

Basic information

Anemourion was situated near Cape Anamur, a steep promontory marking the southernmost point of Asia Minor, only 64 km from Cyprus. The site lies close to the present-day city of Anamur in Mersin Province, Turkey. The city consisted of a citadel on the promontory and a lower city just north of it.2 The ancient road along the coast of Rough Cilicia passed here.

The date of foundation of Anemourion is unknown. Its existence in the first quarter of the 4th century BC is attested by two silver staters.3 The earliest written reference to the city occurs in the Periplous of Pseudo-Skylax, dating from around 330 BC.4

Coinage was resumed in the middle of the 1st century AD under Antiochos IV of Commagene and continued until the third year of the reign of Emperor Valerian (256 AD).5 Roman rule was followed by Byzantine rule. In the middle of the 7th century, the city was abandoned for several centuries, probably as a result of the Arab occupation of Cyprus. Sometime in the 12th century, the site was partially reoccupied and the citadel rebuilt as a stronghold of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. Evidence of a subsequent Seljuk or Ottoman presence is lacking.6

 

Coinage in the Classical Period

Silver denominations:	Staters (Persian weight standard).
Bronze denominations:	Not known.
City ethnic on coins:	ΑΝΕΜΟΡΙΕΩΝ = “(coin) of the people of Anemourion”.
Further information:	Coin Catalogue / Anemourion