Иконография на Основателя на града върху монетните емисии в предримска Тракия
Iconography of the Founder of the City on the Coin Issues in Pre-Roman Thrace

Summary/Abstract: The cult of the oikistes and the foundation myth of the polis are the most important to any Hellenic polities, those in Thrace being no exception. They are the basis of polis’ ideology, identity and prestige and as such are disseminated through traditional media, one of which is coinage. In pre-Roman Thrace they are found on the coin issues of Messambria, Abdera and Maroneia, although not evenly represented. An analysis of their iconography makes it possible to identify in some of them the historical oikistes (Messambria), but in most cases the mythical eponymous hero seems to be preferred. This is not surprising given the latter’s role as unifier and bringer of harmony to a heterogeneous ethnically, religiously and socially diverse society. The appearances of these coin issues are very often the only sources for the processes taking place in the polis society in the internal and external political aspects.

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