v49_0404 - BITINIA - ERACLEA PONTICA Drachme

BITHYNIA - HERACLEA PONTICA

(5th - 4th century BC)

Héraclée Pontique (Heraclea Pontica) was an important city at the entrance of Pont-Euxin. It was founded like Kios, Byzantium and Chalcedon by Megarian settlers of Dorian origin, associated with Boeotians from Tanagra around 558 BC, according to E. Babelon. It was governed by tyrants throughout the 5th century before experiencing a period of democracy between 415 and 364 BC. Many tyrants succeeded one another from Clearchus to Lysimachus between 352 and 281 BC. Satyros ensured power between 352 and 345 BC before being assassinated. Timothy and Dionysos shared power between 345 and 337 BC, then Dionysos kept it alone between 337 and 305 BC When he died, Amastris, wife of Dionysos succeeded him on behalf of his two sons Clearchus the Younger and Oxyathres. The queen married Lysimachus. When the queen was assassinated at the instigation of her sons, Lysimachus had them executed and seized the region. Heraclea Ponticus experienced a great period of economic and commercial prosperity until the 3rd century BC.