Situated on the southern coast of the Sea of Marmara, in the ancient region of Propontis, Neapolis/Herakleia was an ancient settlement established in a strategic location controlling vital trade routes between the Mediterranean and Black Seas. As a Greek colony, it prospered through maritime trade and played a significant role in the economic and cultural life of the region. The city possessed sufficient economic and political power to issue its own coinage.

History

The foundation of Neapolis/Herakleia can generally be considered part of the Greek colonization movements that began on the Anatolian coasts from the 8th century BCE onwards. The Propontis region was an attractive destination for colonists, particularly from major metropoleis such as Miletus. The city rapidly developed with an economy based on maritime trade and gained importance from the Archaic period onwards. Although it fell under Persian control for a period during the Achaemenid Empire's dominance over Anatolia, it regained its independence or autonomy following Alexander the Great's conquests in the Hellenistic Period. During this period, it changed hands among various Hellenistic kingdoms, later coming under Roman rule with the expansion of the Roman Empire into Anatolia. The city maintained its commercial importance during the Roman period and continued its existence into the Byzantine era, though it gradually lost its former splendor. The city's use of the names "Neapolis" (New City) and "Herakleia" simultaneously or during different periods may reflect historical changes or its designation by different names at various times.

Geographic Location

Neapolis/Herakleia is strategically located on the southern coast of the Sea of Marmara, at the western tip of the Kapıdağ Peninsula, within the borders of present-day Balıkesir Province, Turkey. This location provided the city with easy access by sea and allowed it to possess a fertile hinterland. This part of the Propontis was a significant stop on the maritime trade route extending from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. Its position at this strategic crossroads enabled the city to prosper commercially and also made it a focal point for political and military conflicts. Important settlements such as Lampsacus, Cyzicus, and Perinthus were among its neighboring cities, making Neapolis/Herakleia an integral part of the regional trade network.

Significance in Antiquity

The significance of Neapolis/Herakleia in antiquity stemmed primarily from its strategic geographic location and the commercial advantages this position afforded. The city played a pivotal role in the transport of goods such as grain, fish, and timber from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, and manufactured goods from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. Through this, Neapolis/Herakleia became a wealthy and important port city. Politically, it frequently featured in the hegemonic struggles of major powers (Athens, Sparta, Macedon, Rome) over the Propontis. The city's autonomy and commercial interests necessitated efforts to maintain a balance among these powers. From a religious perspective, as a Greek colony, it is believed that alongside the worship of Olympian deities (such as Zeus, Athena, Apollo, Demeter), local cults specific to the region also existed. These cults held a significant place in the city's social and cultural life.

Coinage

Neapolis/Herakleia was a city that issued its own coinage in antiquity. This fact is of great importance as it demonstrates both the city's economic autonomy and its political prestige. Issuing its own coins is an indicator of a city's ability to participate as an independent actor in international trade and to manage its local economy. The coins minted by Neapolis/Herakleia were generally struck in bronze and silver. While bronze coins were primarily used for local circulation and small-scale transactions, silver coins were employed in broader trade and international relations. The motifs on the coins typically reflected the city's patron deities, mythological figures, founding heroes, or local symbols. These motifs also served to introduce the city's identity and belief system to the outside world. Detailed numismatic studies on the minting periods and types of coins will allow us to better understand the city's status during different political and economic eras.

Archaeological Remains

Considering the current state of Neapolis/Herakleia, it is believed that the remains of the ancient city are largely hidden beneath modern settlements or in surrounding agricultural lands. In ancient cities located in such strategic positions with long-term and continuous habitation, visible structural remains on the surface are generally limited. However, detailed archaeological surface surveys and systematic excavations could provide significant information regarding the city's fundamental structures such as the agora, theater, temples, city walls, and necropolis areas. Its coastal location also raises the possibility that some remains, such as harbor structures, may have been submerged due to changes in the coastline and potential sea-level rise. Currently, there is no definitive information regarding prominent and easily visible large-scale remains.

Today

Ancient Neapolis/Herakleia is located today within the borders of Erdek district, Balıkesir Province, Turkey, on the Kapıdağ Peninsula. The precise location of the city is indicated by the coordinates 40.638101 latitude and 27.181074 longitude, near the modern settlement of Erdek. Access to this region is quite easy by road; there are regular bus services from Balıkesir city center or surrounding provinces like Bursa. As a tourist region, accommodation and other facilities are also available. For those wishing to visit the remains of the ancient city, local museums and information boards in the region can serve as an important starting point.