v38_0259 - PAMFILIA - PERGE Tétradrachme

PAMPHYLIA - PERGA

(221-188 BC)

Coinage in the name of Alexander III the Great type

Perge was an important city in Pamphylia located between the Kestros and Katarrhaktes rivers. The city was famous for its temple of Artemis and the cult that was returned to him. Pamphylia and Perge were the object of fratricidal struggles between Lagides and Seleucids. Perge had entered Egyptian orbit in the first quarter of the 3rd century BC before returning to Seleucid rule around 253 BC during the reign of Antiochus II (261-246 AC.) . Ptolemy III succeeded in reconquering it in 241 BC but it was no longer part of the Lagid conquests in 221 BC at the start of the reign of Ptolemy IV (221-204 AC.). Pergé seems to have become a free city which would then explain the use of a new era. Perge would at least have recognized the authority of the new Seleucid king, Antiochus III (223-187 BC). After the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BC and the proclamation of the freedom of the Pamphylian cities the following year by Cn. Manlius, Perge was attributed by the Treaty of Apamea (188 BC) to the Attalid kingdom of Eumenes II (197-160 BC).