Phanagoria
Phanagoria was an ancient Greek city located on the Taman Peninsula, near the Cimmerian Bosphorus, opposite Crimea. Established around 545 BC by colonists from Teos in Ionia, it became part of the Archaeanactid kingdom by approximately 480 BC and eventually served as the capital of the eastern Cimmerian Bosphorus. The city flourished particularly in the fourth century BC, marked by the issuance of local coinage and its status as a manufacturing and industrial hub, producing pottery and wine. Phanagoria gained prominence as a free community under Roman rule after a revolt against King Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus.
The city was characterized by its two-territory layout, featuring an acropolis and a lower city, much of which is now submerged due to what is known as the "Phanagorean Regression." Excavations have revealed significant archaeological finds, including early housing, a large temple, and a necropolis, which provides insight into the region's cultural and religious practices, including the worship of deities such as Apollo and Dionysus. Phanagoria remained an important urban center throughout the medieval period, despite facing destruction by the Huns in the fourth century AD. Its rich history and cultural heritage make it a significant site for understanding the ancient Greek world and its interactions with surrounding cultures.
Subject Terms
Phanagoria
Phanagoreia, Phanagorium (near Sennaya)
A Greek city on the Taman peninsula and gulf, beside the Cimmerian Bosphorus (Straits of Kerch) opposite the Tauric Chersonese (Crimea). Situated on an island formed by Lake Maeotis (the Sea of Azov), Lake Corocondamitis and a branch of the river Anticeites (sometimes known as the Hypanis, like the larger Bug), Phanagoria was settled by colonists from Teos (Sıǧacık) in Ionia (western Asia Minor) c 545 BC. From c 480 it belonged to the Archaeanactid (later Spartocid) kingdom of the Cimmerian Bosphorus, eventually becoming the capital of the eastern part of the state, though it retained its autonomous civic institutions, and began to issue local coinage in the fourth century, when the place reached the height of its prosperity.
During the late second century Phanagoria was conquered by King Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus (120–63), against whom, however, its population, under the leadership of a certain Castor, revolted after his final defeat, thus earning the status of a free community from the Romans. In the time of Augustus (31 BC–AD 14), the city assumed the names of Agrippia Caesarea, which are to be seen, after the emperor's death, on coins bearing the head of his widow Julia Augusta (Livia). Their contemporary Strabo described Phanagoria as a market for goods brought down from Lake Maeotis and from the barbarian country beyond, and pottery kilns and wine-making establishments indicate that it became and remained a manufacturing and industrial center. Destroyed by the Huns in the fourth century AD, it had recovered by the end of the century, and was still an important city in medieval times.
The Greek colony extended over two terraces, comprising an acropolis and a lower city; most of the latter has now been submerged by the sea (this movement, locating a depth of between three and thirty feet, is known as the `Phanagorean Regression’). The town walls, constructed of unhewn blocks, are partly preserved. On the upper plateau four early houses have been recently discovered, including one that apparently dates from the foundation of the settlement. A necropolis on the outskirts testifies to the importation of Ionic pottery at the same period, followed by wares from Attica, Chios and Thasos; and various Greek models were also imitated locally, from the sixth century BC onward. Important inscriptions have been discovered, as well as a large temple of c 400; there is evidence of the worship of Apollo, Dionysus (in whose likeness a Syrian glass vessel of the second century AD is fashioned), Demeter, Persephone (Kore) and Aphrodite Urania or Apaturus—allegedly from apate, treachery, since she was said to have used deception to hand over to Hercules the giants who had attacked her.
The remains of a gymnasium of the third century BC and of a hero's shrine (heroon) adorned by paintings are preserved, as well as numerous pieces of sculpture of second and first-century date, and an abundance of terracotta, marble and limestone reliefs, which bear witness to Phanagoria's cultural activity. Outside the city, to its southwest and south, imposing chamber tomb complexes are to be seen; they have yielded rich grave gifts, including saddlery and harnesses of gold and gilded bronze that accompanied the burial of horses.