The Coins from the Necropolis "Metlata" Near the Village of Rupite
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margarita ANDONOVA the coins from the necropolis "metlata" near the village of rupite... THE COINS FROM THE NECROPOLIS METLATA NEAR THE VILLAGE "OF RUPITE" (F. MULETAROVO), MUNICIPALITY OF PETRICH by Margarita ANDONOVA, Regional Museum of History– Blagoevgrad This article sets to describe and introduce known as Charon's fee was registered through the in scholarly debate the numismatic data findspots of the coins on the skeleton; specifically, generated during the 1985-1988 archaeological these coins were found near the head, the pelvis, excavations at one of the necropoleis situated in the left arm and the legs. In cremations in situ, the locality "Metlata" near the village of Rupite. coins were placed either inside the grave or in The necropolis belongs to the long-known urns made of stone or clay, as well as in bowls "urban settlement" situated on the southern placed next to them. It is noteworthy that out of slopes of Kozhuh hill, at the confluence of 167 graves, coins were registered only in 52, thus the Strumeshnitsa and Struma Rivers, and accounting for less than 50%. The absence of now identified with Heraclea Sintica. The coins in some graves can probably be attributed archaeological excavations were conducted by to the fact that "in Greek society, there was no Yulia Bozhinova from the Regional Museum of established dogma about the way in which the History, Blagoevgrad. souls of the dead travelled to the realm of Hades" The graves number 167 and are located (Зубарь 1982, 108). According to written sources, within an area of 750 m². Coins were found mainly Euripides, it is clear that the deceased in 52 graves, both Hellenistic and Roman, may be accompanied to the underworld not only and 10 coins originate from areas (squares) by Charon, but also by Hermes or Thanatos. in-between. The numismatic data makes it This exemplifies the absence of fast rules and possible to determine fairly accurately the regulations in the Greek world in terms of the chronology of the necropolis, which was not Charon's fee (Зубарь 1982, 108). It is important to excavated in its entirety. The earliest coins note, however, that its practice continued during belong to the last decade of the 4th century BC, the process of Christianization through 4th to the and the latest date to the mid 4th century AD, end of 5th century AD (Кацарова, Хаджиангелов with no interruptions. 2002, 229-230). This can be seen in the necropolis The coins are exclusively made of bronze "Metlata," as evident from coins found in graves and copper, with the exception of a gold exonumia dated to the middle of 4th century AD. (Pl. 2, 21). In addition to being an important The majority of the coins found in chronological marker, coins provide an idea of the necropolis belong to medium and small the social status of the population and the nature denominations (19/20 mm-10 mm). This fact, of coin circulation in the town associated with along with the metal from which they were made, the necropolis. The practice of a funerary rite points to the idea that they were used as a local 255 papers of the american research center in sofia, vol. 2 margarita ANDONOVA the coins from the necropolis "metlata" near the village of rupite... means of payment in commercial transactions by issues. Because of this, I am inclined to think the Autariatae situated along the Middle and At necropolis "Metlata" the coinage of the Greek/Macedonian settlers of the town. that the coins mark an important point in the Lower Iskar River, and from there created Demetrius I Poliorcetes is represented by two The earliest specimen of the group of Hellenistic history of the town. The date of troubles for the Paeonians, who turned to coins minted in 294-287 BC. In 294 BC Demetrius Hellenistic coins is a bronze issue of Philip II these coins bring up the often quoted passage Cassander for protection. She dates the joint took advantage of the dynastic quarrels between of Macedonia (359-336 BC) of the type "Head in Diodorus, according to which, in 310 BC, Macedonian–Paeonian actions against the Cassander's sons (Antipater II and Alexander of Apollo/horseman" (Pl. 1, 1). This coin does "in Macedonia Cassander helped Audoleon, Autariatae to 313/312 BC (Тачева 1987, 28; IV) and almost without a fight, backed by the not fix the foundation date of the town, but king of the Paeonians, who was fighting against 42-43). As an upshot of Cassander's victory troops, he was pronounced a king of Macedonia rather confirms the opinion, already expressed, the Autariatae, freeding the king from danger, over the Autariatae, which written sources, in (Драганов 2001, 79). His rule lasted until 287 that the coins of Phillip II and his successor, but the Autariatae with the children and conjunction with the coins recovered from the BC, when, pressured by the troops of Pyrrhus Alexander III, remain in circulation until the women who were following them, numbering necropolis "Metlata" put in the last decade of and Lysimachus, Demetrius was forced to give very end of the 4th century BC, at which point in all twenty thousand, he settled beside the the 4th century BC near Mount Orbelos, a new up the Macedonian throne to his son Antigonus they were superseded by the issues of Cassander mountain called Orbelos" (Diod. 20.19.1). Hellenistic polis was founded on Macedonian II Gonatas, who was appointed governor of the and Lysimachus. This is the case not just in Two large coin hoards, one from Rezhantsi territory. This was a common practice among remaining Greek estates of Demetrius. Despite the Macedonia, but also in inner Thrace, where (IGCH 411) and one from Skopje (IGCH 410), the Diadochi, who saw the establishment of instability at the time of his assumption of power, such coins make up a significant portion of the include Macedonian and Paeonian coins, and fortified centers within their territories as a the subsequent crucial political changes in the non-Thracian currencies. A salient example of could be mentioned in support of Diodorus' means to secure their claims for supremacy in Hellenistic world made it possible for Antigonus this is the early Hellenistic town of Seuthopolis, description of the union between Cassander Alexander's empire (Nankov 2008, 56). II Gonatas to "ride the wave" (Драганов 2001, where the Macedonian bronzes, primarily coins and the Paeonian king Audoleon against the Cassander's dynasty, discontinued in 84). In 281 BC, following the death of Lysimachus of Cassander and Lysimachus, boost the urban invasion of the Autariatae. Both hoards consist of 294 BC, was followed by that of the Antigonids, near Kouroupedion, Thrace and Macedonia economy and prompt the introduction of the several thousand coins, suggestive of a military- founded by Antigonus I Monophtalmus, who were briefly under the rule of Seleucus I and Thracian bronze coins by the Thracian dynast administrative origin (Димитров 1990, 27). The assumed the title basileus in 306 BC along Ptolemaeus Keraunos. In 279 BC, invading Celts Seuthes III (Димитров, Пенчев 1984, 41-42). Rezhantsi hoard was recovered not far from with his son Demetrius I Poliorcetes, after defeated and killed the latter. At this first stage Foreign researchers have long commented the Pernik fortress, which, according to some Demetrius' formidable victory over the fleet of Antigonus Gonatas did not engage the Celts, as on the similarity between the design and scholars, is Macedonian, perhaps a border fort Ptolemeus I's near Salamis. In his biography he was forced to defend the Macedonian throne construction of the fortification system of founded at the time of Phillip II (Домарадски of Demetrius, Plutarch recounts that after they from Antiochus I, son of Seleucus I, through Seuthopolis, with the so-called "tetragonal plan" 1982, 48). Thus it is plausible that Cassander also learned of his victory, the friends of Antigonus diplomatic maneuvering. The favorable outcome demonstrated in Macedonian towns founded, or made use of this fortress during the expatriation crowned him with a diadem and sent to his of those negotiations, however, allowed Antigonus restored, by Cassander, including Cassandreia, of the Autariatae. At the same time, archaeological son a wreath and a message that named him Gonatas to disembark on the shores of Thrace, Thessaloniki, Pella, Vergina, Lete, and Dion. data confirms beyond doubt the presence of a king. About a year later, sometime around somewhere near Lysimachia, and in 277 BC, he These parallels enrich our understanding of the Triballoi in the Pernik and Breznik regions, 305/304 BC, Lysimachus and Cassander also won a decisive victory over the Celts (Драганов Seuthopolis' architectural planning and, "provide raising the question of their involvement in claimed the title (Йорданов 2000, 190). In 2001, 85). an opportunity of perceiving Seuthopolis not the union between the Macedonians and the 323 BC Lysimachus had received Thrace as his There are six Antigonus II Gonatas' only as a Hellenized Thracian city but also as a Paeonians. The volume and type of coins included domain; the most strategic part of his territories bronze coins found in the necropolis "Metlata." 'petrified' fortified camp following Macedonian in yet another hoard at Vlasatnitsa (IGCH 424), included the southern fringes of Thrace, One belongs to the series "Head of Athena/ inspiration" (Nankov 2008, 48). found not far from Vratsa and resembling the along the Aegean and Propontic coast, from Pan raising a trophy" – a "clear reference to the To the reign of the Macedonian ruler Rhezhantsi and Skopje hoards, also supports such the Thracian Chersonessos to the Strandzha famous battle of Antigonus Gonatas with the Cassander are attributed the largest group of a joint venture.