Theodosia
Theodosia, also known as Feodosia, is a historic city located on the eastern coast of Crimea, specifically at the western end of the Bay of Theodosia. Originally founded by settlers from Miletus in Ionia between 575 and 500 BC, Theodosia was established on the site of an earlier native settlement. It grew into a significant trading hub, challenging the neighboring city of Panticapaeum, and began minting its own coins by the late fifth century. Throughout its history, Theodosia experienced varied rule, including domination by the Bosphoran monarchy, during which it prospered as a center for grain export.
The city faced significant turmoil, including a temporary capture by the Scythians and a notable slave insurrection, before being integrated into the territories of Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus. Although Theodosia suffered destruction in the second century AD, it managed to recover and flourish during the Byzantine era. Archaeological finds in the area, including ancient pottery and cemetery remains, provide valuable insights into its rich past and diverse cultural influences. Theodosia remains a site of historical significance, illustrating the complexities of trade, colonization, and cultural exchange in ancient times.
Subject Terms
Theodosia
(Feodosya)
A Greek city on the east coast of the Tauric Chersonese (Crimea), with an acropolis overlooking the western end of the Bay of Theodosia, near the beginning of the Panticapaeum (Kerch) peninsula extending into the Cimmerian Bosphorus (Straits of Kerch). Theodosia seems to have been colonized by settlers from Miletus in Ionia (western Asia Minor) between 575 and 500 BC, apparently on the site of an earlier native settlement. Strengthened, it would seem, by a further draft of colonists from Heraclea Pontica (Ereǧli), it became a trading rival of Panticapaeum, and by the late fifth century (according to one view) had started to issue its own coins, with the curious Greek inscription Theodeo (or Theu).
With the help of the recently founded town of Chersonesus (another colony of Heraclea), it resisted encroachment from the Bosphoran monarchy until 389/8, when it was captured by King Leucon I and incorporated into his state. During the fourth and third centuries, under Bosphoran rule, Theodosia was at the height of its prosperity as a commercial entrepôt collecting huge quantities of grain from the peninsula's Scythian hinterland for export to Greece. In 107 the city fell temporarily into Scythian hands and was then convulsed by a slave insurrection, put down by the intervention of Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus, against whose suzerainty, however, Theodosia later revolted. It was apparently destroyed in the second century AD, but had recovered by the third, survived the collapse of the Bosphoran Kingdom in the fourth, and became one of the principal cities of the Chersonese in early Byzantine times.
Sixth-century BC potsherds have been unearthed on the site, including Attic black figure vases dating back to the earliest days of the colony; among later finds are amphoras bearing the marks of Heraclea and Sinope (Sinop). A considerable quantity of pottery of the fourth and fifth centuries BC has come to light on the acropolis. Outside the town, cemeteries have been excavated, and remains of a fortified fourth-century farm are to be seen.