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Galatia
278-25 BCE
Galatia was an ancient country of central Asia Minor ( present day Turkey
). It came into existance when the territory was given to the two groups
of Guals by King Nicomedes I of Bithynia. Guals under Leonorius, Luterius
and fifteen other chieftains crossed over into Asia Minor from Thace in
278 BCE. King Nicomedes I hired them to defeat the army of his rebellious
younger brother. A tract of land (parts of Phrygia and Cappadocia)
in central Asia minor was paid for their services. Galatians consisted
of three tribes and settled in three towns. They are Tolistboboii
(Pessinus), Tectosages (Ancyra /Ankara) and Trocmi (Tavium). Each
tribe was ruled by a tetrarch supported by a judge and a general. Galatia
was ruled by a council of tetrarchs and a Senate based at Drynemeton. In
180 BCE, Galatian troops fought on the side of Antiochus the Great
against the Romans. Roman Conul Manlius defeated the Galatians in
181 BCE. Galatians took the side of Pompey in the Mitradatic wars
in 64 BCE. As a reward, Deiotarus the chief tetrarch received the
title the King of Galatia. Later, the Galatians were involved in the civil
wars of Rome. Amyntas, the last king of Galatia fought on the side of Mark
Antony at the battle of Actium in 31 BCE. But, he switched to the side
of Octavianus (Augustus ) and afterwards Augustus confirmed him in his
kingdom. He was killed in ambush 25 BCE. Augustus made his
kingdom into the Roman province of Galatia after 25 BCE.
Kings of Galatia
Deiotarus 64 - 40 BCE
Brogitarus c. 58 BCE
Amyntas 36-25 BCE
Amyntas
36-25 BCE
Amyntas was a secretary to King Deiotaros. Amyntas served as a cavalry commander in the Roman army of Brutus and Cassius during the civil war. Amyntas switched sides and joined Mark Antony against Brutus. After the war, he became the King of Galatia. During the war between Mark Antony and Octavian, Amyntas deserted his old ally Mark Antony to Octavian's side before the battle of Actium. Amyntas was allowed to rule his kingdom until his death in 25 BCE.
Bronze coin of Amyntas. 36-25 BCE.
Obverse: Head of Herakles and club.
Reverse: Lion and legend "King" in Greek.
Weight: ~c4.5 grams. Diameter: ~19 millimeter.
Reference: BMC Galatia . page: 3, 9.
Roman Provincial Coin of Galatia
Bronze Coin. c.100 CE
Obverse: Poppy pod with ears of grain on both sides .
Reversr: Anchor.
Weight:~ 2.3 grams. Diameter: ~15mm.
Mint: Ankyra
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