Greek city of Tarsus in Cilicia Bronze AE 20mm (6.59 grams) Struck 164-27 BC B.C. Reference: SNG France 128-94 Turreted head of Tyche right; monogram to left. ΤΑΡΣΕΩΝ. Zeus seated left on throne, holding sceptre; two monograms to right.
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Tarsus (Greek: Ταρσός, Armenian : Տարսոն, Darson) is a historical city in south-central Turkey , 20 km inland from Mediterranean Sea . It is part of Adana-Mersin Metropolitan Area , fourth largest metropolitan area in Turkey with a population of 2.75 million. Tarsus is an administrative district in Mersin Province and lies in the core of Çukurova , a geographical, economical and cultural region.
With a history going back over 9,000 years Tarsus has long been an important stop for traders, a focal point of many civilisations including the Ancient Romans when Tarsus was capital of the province of Cilicia , scene of the first meeting between Mark Antony and Cleopatra and birthplace of Saint Paul .
Tyche (Roman equivalent: Fortuna) was the presiding tutelary deity who governed the fortune and prosperity of a city, its destiny. In Classical Greek mythology, she is the daughter of Aphrodite and Zeus or Hermes, and at this time served to bring positive messages to people, relating to external events outside their control.
During the Hellenistic period, with dramatic socio-political changes starting with Alexander the Great, Tyche increasingly embodied the whims of fate (both negative and positive), eclipsing the role of the Olympic gods. The Greek historian Polybius believed that when no cause can be discovered to events such as floods, droughts, frosts, or even in politics, then the cause of these events may be fairly attributed to Tyche. Other ancient Greek sources corroborate Polybius, such as Pindar who claims Tyche could hand victory to a lesser athlete. This “Hellenistic Tyche” is often featured on coins such as those minted by Demetrius I Soter. Further, Tyche comes to represent not only personal fate, but the fate of communities. Cities venerated their own Tychai, specific iconic versions of the original Tyche. This practice was continued in the iconography of Roman art, even into the Christian period, often as sets of the greatest cities of the empire.
Tyche was further absorbed into the Parthian Empire, who frequently depicted Tyche in their coins, as well as in imagery bestowing legitimacy to Parthian kings.
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