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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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RK. April 20, 2002.