v49_0135 - TRACIA - MESSEMBRIA Unité, (MB, Æ 23)

THRACE - MESEMBRIA

(3rd - 2nd century BC)

Messembria was an important colony of Megara, founded around 510 BC. It was located on Pont-Euxin, bordered by the Black Sea, north of Apollonia Pontica. Port Thrace, it welcomed refugees from Byzantium and Calchedonia during the Ionian revolt against Darius at the beginning of the 5th century BC. The name of the city itself means (south = meshmbria in Greek). Messembria worshiped the solar Apollo of Megara, its metropolis. The city was conquered by the Romans in 72 BC.