Nemesis Representation on Roman Provincial Coins of the Paphlagonia Region

Ayhan Girgin

Article Details

Nemesis Representation on Roman Provincial Coins of the Paphlagonia Region

Authors:

Ayhan Girgin

Publisher:

Ondokuz Mayıs University

Main Topics:

Arkeoloji

Journal:

PROPONTICA Vol.1 Issue 2, pp.183-204

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001299270

pISSN:

2980-132X

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The Goddess Nemesis, both as an abstract concept and as a divine being, symbolizes divine anger against peoples presumptuous, outrageous behavior and excessive wealth. Nemesis is associated with symbols such as cubit, bridle, wheel, scales, globe, scepter, sword, whip, and Griffon. The goddess was worshiped both in the capital and the provinces during the Roman Imperial Period and was considered the protector of military training areas and victorious generals, especially actors, athletes, and gladiators. The depiction of Nemesis is found on the coins of six cities in the Paphlagonia Region: Amastris, GangraGermanikopolis, IonopolisAbonoteikhos, Pompeiopolis, Sinope and TieionTium. Three main types of Nemesis were identified on these coins: The Standing Nemesis, Winged Nemesis, and In-Temple Nemesis types. The earliest coin of the Paphlagonia Region with the Nemesis representation belongs to the Domitian period, while the latest one belongs to the Gallien period. The depictions of Nemesis on the coins of this region emphasize her balancing and punishing feature, her symbol of victory and peace, and distributor of justice, and her identity as a protector in these cities. This study examined Nemesis representation on the coins minted by six cities in the Paphlagonia Region during the Roman Imperial Period. The conclusion emphasized why Nemesis was preferred over the coins of Paphlagonia, and the frequent depiction of the goddess on the coins of the region was attributed to the widespread Nemesis worship in the region.

 The Goddess Nemesis, both as an abstract concept and as a divine being, symbolizes divine anger against peoples presumptuous, outrageous behavior and excessive wealth. Nemesis is associated with symbols such as cubit, bridle, wheel, scales, globe, scepter, sword, whip, and Griffon. The goddess was worshiped both in the capital and the provinces during the Roman Imperial Period and was considered the protector of military training areas and victorious generals, especially actors, athletes, and gladiators. The depiction of Nemesis is found on the coins of six cities in the Paphlagonia Region: Amastris, GangraGermanikopolis, IonopolisAbonoteikhos, Pompeiopolis, Sinope and TieionTium. Three main types of Nemesis were identified on these coins: The Standing Nemesis, Winged Nemesis, and In-Temple Nemesis types. The earliest coin of the Paphlagonia Region with the Nemesis representation belongs to the Domitian period, while the latest one belongs to the Gallien period. The depictions of Nemesis on the coins of this region emphasize her balancing and punishing feature, her symbol of victory and peace, and distributor of justice, and her identity as a protector in these cities. This study examined Nemesis representation on the coins minted by six cities in the Paphlagonia Region during the Roman Imperial Period. The conclusion emphasized why Nemesis was preferred over the coins of Paphlagonia, and the frequent depiction of the goddess on the coins of the region was attributed to the widespread Nemesis worship in the region.

 The Goddess Nemesis, both as an abstract concept and as a divine being, symbolizes divine anger against peoples presumptuous, outrageous behavior and excessive wealth. Nemesis is associated with symbols such as cubit, bridle, wheel, scales, globe, scepter, sword, whip, and Griffon. The goddess was worshiped both in the capital and the provinces during the Roman Imperial Period and was considered the protector of military training areas and victorious generals, especially actors, athletes, and gladiators. The depiction of Nemesis is found on the coins of six cities in the Paphlagonia Region: Amastris, GangraGermanikopolis, IonopolisAbonoteikhos, Pompeiopolis, Sinope and TieionTium. Three main types of Nemesis were identified on these coins: The Standing Nemesis, Winged Nemesis, and In-Temple Nemesis types. The earliest coin of the Paphlagonia Region with the Nemesis representation belongs to the Domitian period, while the latest one belongs to the Gallien period. The depictions of Nemesis on the coins of this region emphasize her balancing and punishing feature, her symbol of victory and peace, and distributor of justice, and her identity as a protector in these cities. This study examined Nemesis representation on the coins minted by six cities in the Paphlagonia Region during the Roman Imperial Period. The conclusion emphasized why Nemesis was preferred over the coins of Paphlagonia, and the frequent depiction of the goddess on the coins of the region was attributed to the widespread Nemesis worship in the region.

 Tanrıça Nemesis, hem soyut bir kavram hem de tanrısal bir varlık olarak insanların haddini bilmez, taşkın davranışlarına, aşırı zenginliklerine karşı tanrısal öfkeyi simgeler. Nemesis cetvel, dizgin, tekerlek, terazi, küre, asa, kılıç, kırbaç gibi sembollerle ve Griffon ile ilişkilendirilmiştir. Tanrıça, Roma İmparatorluk Dönemi boyunca hem başkentte hem de eyaletlerde tapınım görmüş, askeri eğitim alanları ve zafer kazanan generaller ile özellikle aktör, sporcu ve gladyatörlerin koruyucusu olarak kabul edilmiştir. Nemesis tasviri Paphlagonia Bölgesinde ele geçen Amastris, GangraGermanikopolis, IonopolisAbonoteikhos, Pompeiopolis, Sinope ve Tieion Tium kenti olmak üzere toplam altı kentin sikkeleri üzerinde görülmektedir. Bu sikkeler üzerinde Nemesisin toplam üç ana tipi saptanmıştır. Bunlar; Ayakta Duran Nemesis tipi, Kanatlı Nemesis tipi ve Tapınak İçinde Nemesis tipidir. Paphlagonia Bölgesi sikkeleri üzerinde Nemesis tasvirinin yer aldığı en erken örneği Domitianus dönemine tarihlenirken, en geç örneği ise Gallienus dönemine aittir. Bu bölgenin sikkeleri üzerinde Nemesisin daha çok dengeleyici, cezalandırıcı özelliği ile birlikte zafer ve barışı simgelemesi ve adalet dağıtması vurgulanmış, ayrıca bu kentlerde tanrıçanın kent koruyucu kimliği ön plana çıkarılmıştır. Bu çalışma kapsamında, Paphlagonia Bölgesinde yer alan altı kent tarafından Roma Eyalet sikkeleri üzerine darp edilmiş olan Nemesis tasvirleri incelenmiştir. Makalenin sonuç bölümünde, Nemesisin Paphlagonia sikkeleri üzerinde tercih edilme nedenleri üzerine durulmuş ve tanrıçanın bölge sikkelerinde sıklıkla resmedilmesi bölgede Nemesise tapınımın geniş bir yayılım alanına sahip olmasına bağlanmıştır.

Article Details

Nemesis Representation on Roman Provincial Coins of the Paphlagonia Region

Authors:

Ayhan Girgin

Publisher:

Ondokuz Mayıs University

Main Topics:

Arkeoloji

Journal:

PROPONTICA Vol.1 Issue 2, pp.183-204

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001299270

pISSN:

2980-132X

Paphlagonia

Nemesis

Coins

Roman Provincial

RepresentationPaphlagonia

Nemesis

Sikke

Roma Eyalet

Tasvir.

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Ayhan Girgin

Publisher: Ondokuz Mayıs University

Main Topics: Arkeoloji

Journal: PROPONTICA Vol.1 Issue 2, pp.183-204

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 9/2023

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001299270

pISSN: 2980-132X

Issues

Authors:

Ayhan Girgin

Publisher:

Ondokuz Mayıs University

Main Topics:

Arkeoloji

Journal:

PROPONTICA Vol.1 Issue 2, pp.183-204

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001299270

pISSN:

2980-132X