Anazarbos/Caesarea/Ioustin(ian)oupolis

Anazarbos was one of the important cities of ancient Cilicia, located near the modern-day village of Dilekkaya, within the Kozan district of Adana province. In the late Roman Imperial period, it became the capital of the province of Cilicia Secunda, and after the earthquake of AD 527, it was rebuilt and renamed Ioustin(ian)oupolis. The city is notable for its rich history and multi-layered archaeological remains, and it served as a significant center with the authority to mint coinage.

History

Although the origins of Anazarbos date back to the Hellenistic Period, the city experienced its main development during the Roman Imperial era. Originally named Anazarbos, the city adopted the name "Caesarea" during the reign of Emperor Augustus, solidifying its allegiance to Rome. By the 1st century AD, it had become one of Cilicia's important centers, experiencing a period of great prosperity, especially during the reign of Septimius Severus (AD 193-211). With Diocletian's administrative reforms in the 4th century AD, which divided the province of Cilicia into two, Anazarbos increased its strategic and political importance as the capital of Cilicia Secunda. During this period, numerous monumental structures were built, and the city was virtually reshaped. Devastated by a major earthquake in AD 527, Anazarbos was rebuilt by Emperor Justinian and renamed "Ioustin(ian)oupolis" in his honor. The city maintained its importance during the Byzantine period, changing hands occasionally during Arab raids and the Crusades, but always remaining a target due to its strategic location. The city's final major destruction was carried out by Mamluk forces in AD 1374, after which it never regained its former splendor.

Geographic Location

Anazarbos is situated at the northeastern edge of the Çukurova plain, near the eastern bank of the Ceyhan (ancient Pyramos) River, at the foothills of the Taurus Mountains. This strategic location allowed the city to benefit from the agricultural resources of the fertile Cilician plain and to control important pass routes leading to Central Anatolia. Its proximity to the Cilician Gates (Gülek Pass), in particular, made Anazarbos a key center on east-west and north-south trade routes. Important neighboring cities included Tarsus, Mopsuestia (Yakapınar), and Korykos. The city was surrounded by steep cliffs that served as a natural fortress for defense, making it militarily attractive. These geographical advantages played a critical role in Anazarbos's centuries-long existence as a regional power.

Significance in Antiquity

Anazarbos stood out as one of the most important cities in the Cilicia region during antiquity. Its status as the capital of the province of Cilicia Secunda in the late Roman Imperial period bestowed upon the city significant political power and administrative responsibilities. This status ensured that the city became the center of regional governance, a place where crucial judicial and military administrative decisions were made. Economically, the agricultural products offered by the fertile Cilician plain, especially grain and olives, formed the foundation of the city's prosperity. Furthermore, its location on trade routes between east and west made Anazarbos an important commercial hub. The city was also significant culturally and religiously; it hosted local deities, the Roman imperial cult, and served as an episcopal see during the early Christian period. The city's monumental structures, aqueducts, baths, and other public buildings are tangible indicators of this prosperity and importance.

Coinage

Anazarbos was an important city with the authority to mint coinage throughout antiquity. The city's coinage began in the 1st century BC and continued until the late Roman Imperial period. Particularly during the Roman Imperial Period, bronze coins bearing portraits of emperors and local deities or city symbols were widely struck. During the reigns of Septimius Severus and Caracalla, the city acquired the title of "metropolis," a status reflected in its coinage; coins bore the inscription "

Anazarbos is an ancient mint represented in the NumisTR database by 4 coin varieties. The recorded coins were struck in bronze. Authorities named on the coins include Tarcondimotus I Of Cilicia. You can browse the city's coins in the Cilicia coins list.