Moesia Inferior

Also known as Lower Moesia

I started studying Moesia Inferior as my first coin of Elagabalus (ruled 218-222AD) came from Markianopolis (Marcianopolis) which was located in Moesia Inferior. Most of the following information has come from wikipedia.

Moesia Inferior or Lower Moesia was part of the original province of Moesia. Moesia was bounded to the south by Balkan (Haemus) and Šar (Scardus, Scordus, Scodrus) mountains, to the west by the Drina river (Drinus), on the north by the Danube and on the east by the Euxine. It took its name from the Moesi, a Thracian tribe that lived there. The area was organized as a province under Augustus' reign in 6 AD.

It was later divided by Domitian into Upper (Superior) and Lower (Inferior, also called Ripa Thracia) Moesia, the western and eastern portions respectively, divided from each other by the river Cebrus (Ciabrus; modern Cibritza or Zibru). Some, however, place the boundary further west. Each portion was governed by an imperial consular legate (magistrate) and a procurator. A great map of the area can be found here. You can click on the picture to expand it further. A good page to determine the Roman Legates from Moesia Inferior is by Akropolis Ancient Coins

As a frontier province, Moesia was strengthened by stations and fortresses erected along the southern bank of the Danube, and a wall was built from Axiopolis to Tomi (Tomis) as a protection against the Scythians and Sarmatians. After 238 AD, Moesia suffered many invasions from the Carpi and the Goths and was eventually settled by the Goths. In the 7th century AD, Slavs and Bulgars entered the country and founded the kingdoms of Serbia and Bulgaria.

The following are Cities in Moesia Inferior which minted coins under Elagabalus. The "issued coins" dates only include dates under Roman authority. Some of the cities minted coins prior to the Roman period. Nikola Moushmov printed a book of coins from the provincial cities of the Balkan peninsula in 1912 in what is currently known as "Old Bulgarian". Main page for an English translation of Moushmov's work. David R Sear's book Greek Imperial Coins and their Values (site) is a good book that gives an overview of coins of the provincial cities in the entire Roman empire, though generally only one type per Emperor. A book by Ivan Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins, Volume I Dacia, Moesia Superior, Moesia Inferior is out in English. It is a really great coin book that I would definitely suggest to anybody with interest in these areas. He also has a Volume II and II out in English covering Thrace. The site varbanovbooks covers these books and has more information as well. Neither Moushmov nor Varbanov list any coins from the era of Elagabalus issued by any cities in either Dacia or Moesia Superior. Moushmov lists by region, city, Emperor and then by type. Varbanov lists by region, city, Emperor, reverse legend, and then by type. Sear lists by Emperor, region, city and then by type if there is more than one example for the city.

In the Moesia Inferior province, there were initially 4 denominations that later grew to 6. The weight of the coins varied widely and if not marked with a Greek letter, are now normally referred to the size in millimeters. For example, a coin of 25 mm is now referred to as a AE25, as we cannot be sure of the valuation in those times unless otherwise marked. As of the end of the 2nd century there was a monetary alliance between several cities along the west coast of the Black Sea and if the coin was marked with a Greek letter A, B, G, D, E or ¥ it signified the amount of 1 to 5 assaria. The 5 assaria coin is known as a pentaassarion and was normally 27-28mm and 6-7g. There were a few larger coins that are referred to as medallions.

Maps of the location of the cities in which Roman Provincial Coinage of the Antonine Period was minted can be found at the Roman Provincial Coinage Online site. This period was prior to the period that is mainly discussed on this site, however it still lists the same cities of interest.

Callatis or Kallatis minted very few types of coins under Elagabalus. Wikipedia on Callatis, currently the city of Mangalia in south-eastern Romania. It was originally a Greek colony on the shores of the Black sea. It was located at 43° 48' N, 28° 36' E (google satellite map) It is the oldest town in Romania and was settled 2500 years ago by Greek mariners. It issued coins from the reign of Nero (AD 54-68) through Philip II (AD 247-249). Moushmov's page on coins of Kallatis.

Dionysopolis minted very few types of coins under Elagabalus. Wikipedia on Dionysopolis, currently the Black sea port of Balchik. It was founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC. It was located at 43° 24' N, 28° 10' E (google satellite map). It issued coins from the reign of Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161) through Gordian III (AD 238-244). Moushmov's page on coins of Dionysopolis.

Istrus or Istros minted a few types of coins under Elagabalus. It was founded in 657-656 BC or sometime between 630 and 620 BC by Milesian settlers. It was situated in the delta of the River Danube on the western edge of the Black Sea. Is it current day Istria, Romania 44° 34' N, 28° 43' E (google satellite map) near contemporary Constanta in Romainia. It issued coins from the reign of Hadrian (AD 117-138) through Gordian III (AD 238-244). Moushmov's page on coins of Istros.

Odessus minted a few types of coins under Elagabalus. Wikipedia on Odessus, currently Varna in Bulgaria. Odessus was founded as a ancient Greek trading colony about 580 BC. It was located at 43° 12' N, 27° 57' E (google satellite map). The Roman city had baths, Thermae, built in the 2nd century CE, that are the largest Roman remains in Bulgaria. It issued coins from the reign of Augustus (27 BC - AD 14) through Gordian III (AD 238-244). Moushmov's page on the coins of Odessus. Moushmov places Odessus in Thrace instead of Moesia Inferior, though according to the map it is in Moesia Inferior. I asked the question and Jochen at forumancientcoins anwered (Thank you!). It was originally a part of Thracia and later when it came under Roman authority, the provinces were divided differently. Partially from the web site about Varna (via the wayback machine) 'For long years Rome had been trying to conquer the areas south of the Danube River. In 29 B.C. a "reason" was found and the leader of Macedonia Marcus Licinius Crassus conquered an enormous part of Moesia and Skytia Minor. A year later Odessos was also under Roman authority. In the beginning it was attached to the province of Macedonia, and later, in 15 B.C. it is included in the borders of the new province of Moesia.' Then as discussed earlier it was later divided by Domitian into Upper (Superior) and Lower (Inferior, also called Ripa Thracia) Moesia. Moushnov's page on coins of Odessus. My page on Odessus.

Tomis or Tomi minted many types of coins, though less varieties than either Markianopolis or Nicopolis ad Istrum. Wikipedia on Tomis, currently Constanta in Romania. Tomis was a Greek colony in the province of Scythia on the Black sea's shore, founded around 500 BC. It was located at 44° 12' N, 28° 40' E (google satellite map). In AD 8, the Roman poet Ovid was banished in the city by Augustus and died there eight years later, celebrating the town of Tomis in his poems. It issued coins from the reign of Augustus (27 BC - AD 14) through Philip II (AD 247-249). Moushmov's page on the coins of Tomis.

Markianopolis or Marcianopolis minted many types of coins under Elagabalus. It was founded by Emperor Trajan (AD 98-117) and named after his sister Marciana (possibly Marcia) and was populated of mainly Greeks of Asia Minor origin and Thracians. Their trade consisted of pottery, metal processing, arms and glass. It issued coins from the reign of Commodus (AD 177-192) continuously through about AD 248 Philip II (AD 247-249) after it successfully repelled an attack by the Goths. It was partially destroyed in AD 250-251. In AD 447 it was attacked by Attila the Hun. Its ruins are in a village called Devnia (Reka Devniya or Reka Devnia) 43° 20' N, 27° 36' E (google satellite map). It is close to the current town of Burgas (google satellite map) in Bulgaria. It was 18 miles inland from the Black Sea, north of European Turkey. Moushmov's page on the coins of Markianopolis. My page on Elagabalus' coins of Markianopolis. My page on other rulers' coins of Markianopolis.

Nicopolis ad Istrum or Nikopolis ad Istrum minted many types of coins under Elagabalus. Wikipedia on Nicopolis ad Istrum which was was a Roman town founded by Emperor Trajan around 101-106 AD and was located at 43° 14' N, 25° 40' E (google satellite map). Its ruins are 20 km north of Veliko Tărnovo, in northern Bulgaria (wikipedia) Google satellite map of where Veliko Tărnovo is in Bulgaria. The town reached its apogee during the reigns of Trajan, Hadrian, the Antonines and the Severan dynasty. It issued coins from the reign of Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161) through Gordian III (AD 238-244). Here is a link to a website that has pictures of the ruins. It also has more information about the city. Moushmov's page on the coins of Nicopolis ad Istrum. My page on Elagabalus' coins of Nicopolis ad Istrum.

My page on Elagabalus' coins of Markianopolis

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