By November 25, 2008 Read More →

Naval Coins from Gadara, 2nd century CE

Gadara Coin.jpg
Naval Coins.jpg

During the second century, residents of Tiberias celebrated their maritime heritage by minting coins depicting Roman galleys and anchors.

A Roman war vessel appears on a second-century CE coin from Gadara, which lay 5 miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee. Other coins from Gadara commemorate the Naumachia—Roman naval games believed to have been performed at the Tel Samra harbor, which served the residents of Gadara. The unusually long breakwater at Tel Samra may have accommodated hundreds of spectators gathered to watch the mock battles.

“Ports of Galilee,” BAR Jul-Aug 1999, p. 20.

Posted in: Roman Period II

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