Alexandria Troas, Alexander's Strategic Port
Alexander the Great's conquests not only reshaped political boundaries but also altered the destinies of cities. Among the dozens of "Alexandrias" founded in his name or to honor his legacy,
Alexandria Troas, located in the Troas region of northwestern Anatolia, stands out for its strategic position and magnificent structures. Founded in 310 BC by Antigonos Monophthalmos, one of Alexander's generals, under the name "Antigoneia," the city was soon after renamed "Alexandria Troas" by Lysimachus in memory of Alexander. This change of name determined the city's fate. Becoming one of the largest cities in Anatolia, Alexandria Troas grew into a vital port and trade center during the Roman period, reaching a population of 100,000 and serving as a bridge between Europe and Asia. The city's mint also reflected this long and brilliant history, producing a rich coinage particularly known for its figures of Apollo and horses.
The numismatic history of Alexandria Troas begins immediately after the city's foundation, with gold staters and silver tetradrachms struck in the name of Lysimachus. These early coins demonstrate the city's place within the newly established Hellenistic kingdoms and the technical capacity of its mint. However, the coins reflecting the city's own unique identity are the bronze issues that began to be struck from the 3rd century BC onwards. Almost all of these coins share a common theme: a portrait of Apollo, considered the city's patron deity, on the obverse, and typically a grazing horse figure on the reverse.
The choice of this iconography was not coincidental. Apollo was a deity with a deeply rooted cult in the Troas region, particularly associated with the nearby sanctuary of Smintheion. Placing his laurel-wreathed portrait on the coins was an act that placed the city under the god's protection and granted it religious legitimacy. The horse figure on the reverse, on the other hand, was both a reference to the Troas region's renown for horse breeding, known since Homer, and a symbol of the fertile pastures and agricultural wealth surrounding the city. Sometimes additional symbols, such as a palm branch or a grain of barley, would also appear alongside the horse, reinforcing the theme of fertility. The combination of Apollo and the horse conveyed the message that Alexandria Troas was a city both under divine protection and economically prosperous.
The city's importance further increased during the Roman period. Its strategic port became a key base for Rome's military campaigns and trade towards the East. Indeed, Julius Caesar and later Emperor Constantine had considered moving the capital from Rome to Alexandria Troas. During this period, the city was elevated to the status of a Roman colony, receiving the title "Colonia Augusta Troas." The mint continued to strike numerous bronze coins reflecting this new status and bearing the portraits of Roman emperors.
The port of Alexandria Troas was a gateway not only for soldiers and merchants but also for the dissemination of ideas. In the early years of Christianity, it is known that the Apostle Paul began his missionary journeys to Europe from this port. This event made the city an important pilgrimage center in early Christian history.
Today, the remains of Alexandria Troas, located within the borders of Dalyan village and understood to be one of Anatolia's largest ancient cities with its city walls extending for 8 kilometers, still whisper of its past glory. The most tangible witnesses remaining from this once bustling metropolis, with its baths, theater, stadium, and streets, are the modest bronze coins issued from its mint. The portrait of Apollo and the grazing horse figure on them continue to tell us the story of a port city founded on Alexander's legacy, grown with the power of Rome, and a hub for the dissemination of history's most important ideas.
Source:
https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/canakkale/gezilecekyer/aleksandria-troas-antik-kenti
https://turkisharchaeonews.net/site/alexandria-troas
https://www.turkishmuseums.com/museum/detail/2017-canakkale-alexandria-troas-archaeological-site/2017/4
https://asiaminorcoins.com/troas.html