Abdera
Abdera was initially a Phoenician settlement founded during the 7th century BC. It is worth noting that the ancient city maintained some traits connected to its Phoenician roots for a long time. The first Greek settlement was founded on the same urban community c.654 BC, but this foundation failed and within one generation the Thracians expelled the settlers. A successful second Greek settlement took place in 544 BC, migrating the majority of settlers from nearby Teos, in order to escape the Persian expansion. However, the city fell under Persian rule soon after this second foundation. Nonetheless, it became a place of significant importance at the time, being one of the cities maintaining the great king on his march into Greece. With the end of the Persian wars, Abdera became the westernmost limit of the Odrysian kingdom. It later became part of the Delian League and fought on the side of Athens in the Peloponnesian war. Abdera was, then, a wealthy city – apparently the third richest in the League – due to its status as a prime port for trade with the interior of Thrace and the Odrysian kingdom. Being a flourishing trading community, the city was repeatedly looted during the Hellenistic period. The last siege, led by the Roman army and those of Eumenes II of Pergamonin 170 BC, initiated the progressive decline of the city, which become a third rate community during Roman times.
Chronology of studies
Pottery
This section proposes documentation related to ancient pottery and ceramics. This kind of material was one of most common classes of artifacts in ancient times, as many everyday objects were made of ceramic. Perfume container, fine tableware, crude commercial packing and maritime containers are some examples of the artifacts presented here.
Data sheets
Coins
Numismatic material is always an interesting source of information. Each mint was a way for a state authority to show its power, as much as a tool for mercantile and day-to-day transactions. As such, coins distribution does not directly offer evidence of contact, as money always changes hands, but some coins series, like bronze minting, are more of a proof of travels and possible relationships.
Data sheets
Epigraphy
Texts and writing are clear indicators of the presence of a Phoenician and Punic individual or community, one that expresses and interacts in its own language and writing. As such, the presence of Phoenician epigraphy always tells us that an individual from Tyre, Sidon or Carthage authored the text, or, at least, that the person who commissioned it was. Bilingual texts, in our case translated from Greek or from Phoenician, are evidently even more interesting, as they are a sign of the existence of a multicultural environment.
Data sheets
Glass
Glass production was initially a craft originating from the Ancient Near East, Egypt and the Levant, as they had sole access to the raw material sources. Phoenician craftsmen became experts in the production of small containers and jewels, artifacts whose rarity made them seen luxury goods. As time went on, more and more workshops learnt to use the raw material, but Phoenicians, and their descendants in the Western Mediterranean, were experts on this craftsmanship throughout the 1st millennium BC.
Data sheets
Other material
Many ancient objects could be connected with Phoenician and Punic populations, whether it be stone from the Levant or metal artifacts made from raw material originated from sources directly controlled by the Phoenicians, thanks to their control over tin and silver sources in the Western Mediterranean. This section considers all the different material evidences which show us the diversity of contacts that took place between the Hellenic populations of the Aegean and Phoenician and Punic communities.
Data sheets
Pottery
This section proposes documentation related to ancient pottery and ceramics. This kind of material was one of most common classes of artifacts in ancient times, as many everyday objects were made of ceramic. Perfume container, fine tableware, crude commercial packing and maritime containers are some examples of the artifacts presented here.
Data sheets
Coins
Numismatic material is always an interesting source of information. Each mint was a way for a state authority to show its power, as much as a tool for mercantile and day-to-day transactions. As such, coins distribution does not directly offer evidence of contact, as money always changes hands, but some coins series, like bronze minting, are more of a proof of travels and possible relationships.
Data sheets
Epigraphy
Texts and writing are clear indicators of the presence of a Phoenician and Punic individual or community, one that expresses and interacts in its own language and writing. As such, the presence of Phoenician epigraphy always tells us that an individual from Tyre, Sidon or Carthage authored the text, or, at least, that the person who commissioned it was. Bilingual texts, in our case translated from Greek or from Phoenician, are evidently even more interesting, as they are a sign of the existence of a multicultural environment.
Data sheets
Glass
Glass production was initially a craft originating from the Ancient Near East, Egypt and the Levant, as they had sole access to the raw material sources. Phoenician craftsmen became experts in the production of small containers and jewels, artifacts whose rarity made them seen luxury goods. As time went on, more and more workshops learnt to use the raw material, but Phoenicians, and their descendants in the Western Mediterranean, were experts on this craftsmanship throughout the 1st millennium BC.
Data sheets
Other material
Many ancient objects could be connected with Phoenician and Punic populations, whether it be stone from the Levant or metal artifacts made from raw material originated from sources directly controlled by the Phoenicians, thanks to their control over tin and silver sources in the Western Mediterranean. This section considers all the different material evidences which show us the diversity of contacts that took place between the Hellenic populations of the Aegean and Phoenician and Punic communities.
Data sheets
Pottery
This section proposes documentation related to ancient pottery and ceramics. This kind of material was one of most common classes of artifacts in ancient times, as many everyday objects were made of ceramic. Perfume container, fine tableware, crude commercial packing and maritime containers are some examples of the artifacts presented here.
Data sheets
Coins
Numismatic material is always an interesting source of information. Each mint was a way for a state authority to show its power, as much as a tool for mercantile and day-to-day transactions. As such, coins distribution does not directly offer evidence of contact, as money always changes hands, but some coins series, like bronze minting, are more of a proof of travels and possible relationships.
Data sheets
Epigraphy
Texts and writing are clear indicators of the presence of a Phoenician and Punic individual or community, one that expresses and interacts in its own language and writing. As such, the presence of Phoenician epigraphy always tells us that an individual from Tyre, Sidon or Carthage authored the text, or, at least, that the person who commissioned it was. Bilingual texts, in our case translated from Greek or from Phoenician, are evidently even more interesting, as they are a sign of the existence of a multicultural environment.
Data sheets
Glass
Glass production was initially a craft originating from the Ancient Near East, Egypt and the Levant, as they had sole access to the raw material sources. Phoenician craftsmen became experts in the production of small containers and jewels, artifacts whose rarity made them seen luxury goods. As time went on, more and more workshops learnt to use the raw material, but Phoenicians, and their descendants in the Western Mediterranean, were experts on this craftsmanship throughout the 1st millennium BC.
Data sheets
Other material
Many ancient objects could be connected with Phoenician and Punic populations, whether it be stone from the Levant or metal artifacts made from raw material originated from sources directly controlled by the Phoenicians, thanks to their control over tin and silver sources in the Western Mediterranean. This section considers all the different material evidences which show us the diversity of contacts that took place between the Hellenic populations of the Aegean and Phoenician and Punic communities.
Data sheets
Pottery
This section proposes documentation related to ancient pottery and ceramics. This kind of material was one of most common classes of artifacts in ancient times, as many everyday objects were made of ceramic. Perfume container, fine tableware, crude commercial packing and maritime containers are some examples of the artifacts presented here.
Data sheets
Coins
Numismatic material is always an interesting source of information. Each mint was a way for a state authority to show its power, as much as a tool for mercantile and day-to-day transactions. As such, coins distribution does not directly offer evidence of contact, as money always changes hands, but some coins series, like bronze minting, are more of a proof of travels and possible relationships.
Data sheets
Epigraphy
Texts and writing are clear indicators of the presence of a Phoenician and Punic individual or community, one that expresses and interacts in its own language and writing. As such, the presence of Phoenician epigraphy always tells us that an individual from Tyre, Sidon or Carthage authored the text, or, at least, that the person who commissioned it was. Bilingual texts, in our case translated from Greek or from Phoenician, are evidently even more interesting, as they are a sign of the existence of a multicultural environment.
Data sheets
Glass
Glass production was initially a craft originating from the Ancient Near East, Egypt and the Levant, as they had sole access to the raw material sources. Phoenician craftsmen became experts in the production of small containers and jewels, artifacts whose rarity made them seen luxury goods. As time went on, more and more workshops learnt to use the raw material, but Phoenicians, and their descendants in the Western Mediterranean, were experts on this craftsmanship throughout the 1st millennium BC.
Data sheets
Other material
Many ancient objects could be connected with Phoenician and Punic populations, whether it be stone from the Levant or metal artifacts made from raw material originated from sources directly controlled by the Phoenicians, thanks to their control over tin and silver sources in the Western Mediterranean. This section considers all the different material evidences which show us the diversity of contacts that took place between the Hellenic populations of the Aegean and Phoenician and Punic communities.
Data sheets
Pottery
This section proposes documentation related to ancient pottery and ceramics. This kind of material was one of most common classes of artifacts in ancient times, as many everyday objects were made of ceramic. Perfume container, fine tableware, crude commercial packing and maritime containers are some examples of the artifacts presented here.
Data sheets
Coins
Numismatic material is always an interesting source of information. Each mint was a way for a state authority to show its power, as much as a tool for mercantile and day-to-day transactions. As such, coins distribution does not directly offer evidence of contact, as money always changes hands, but some coins series, like bronze minting, are more of a proof of travels and possible relationships.
Data sheets
Epigraphy
Texts and writing are clear indicators of the presence of a Phoenician and Punic individual or community, one that expresses and interacts in its own language and writing. As such, the presence of Phoenician epigraphy always tells us that an individual from Tyre, Sidon or Carthage authored the text, or, at least, that the person who commissioned it was. Bilingual texts, in our case translated from Greek or from Phoenician, are evidently even more interesting, as they are a sign of the existence of a multicultural environment.
Data sheets
Glass
Glass production was initially a craft originating from the Ancient Near East, Egypt and the Levant, as they had sole access to the raw material sources. Phoenician craftsmen became experts in the production of small containers and jewels, artifacts whose rarity made them seen luxury goods. As time went on, more and more workshops learnt to use the raw material, but Phoenicians, and their descendants in the Western Mediterranean, were experts on this craftsmanship throughout the 1st millennium BC.
Data sheets
Other material
Many ancient objects could be connected with Phoenician and Punic populations, whether it be stone from the Levant or metal artifacts made from raw material originated from sources directly controlled by the Phoenicians, thanks to their control over tin and silver sources in the Western Mediterranean. This section considers all the different material evidences which show us the diversity of contacts that took place between the Hellenic populations of the Aegean and Phoenician and Punic communities.
Data sheets
Pottery
This section proposes documentation related to ancient pottery and ceramics. This kind of material was one of most common classes of artifacts in ancient times, as many everyday objects were made of ceramic. Perfume container, fine tableware, crude commercial packing and maritime containers are some examples of the artifacts presented here.
Data sheets
Coins
Numismatic material is always an interesting source of information. Each mint was a way for a state authority to show its power, as much as a tool for mercantile and day-to-day transactions. As such, coins distribution does not directly offer evidence of contact, as money always changes hands, but some coins series, like bronze minting, are more of a proof of travels and possible relationships.
Data sheets
Epigraphy
Texts and writing are clear indicators of the presence of a Phoenician and Punic individual or community, one that expresses and interacts in its own language and writing. As such, the presence of Phoenician epigraphy always tells us that an individual from Tyre, Sidon or Carthage authored the text, or, at least, that the person who commissioned it was. Bilingual texts, in our case translated from Greek or from Phoenician, are evidently even more interesting, as they are a sign of the existence of a multicultural environment.
Data sheets
Glass
Glass production was initially a craft originating from the Ancient Near East, Egypt and the Levant, as they had sole access to the raw material sources. Phoenician craftsmen became experts in the production of small containers and jewels, artifacts whose rarity made them seen luxury goods. As time went on, more and more workshops learnt to use the raw material, but Phoenicians, and their descendants in the Western Mediterranean, were experts on this craftsmanship throughout the 1st millennium BC.
Data sheets
Other material
Many ancient objects could be connected with Phoenician and Punic populations, whether it be stone from the Levant or metal artifacts made from raw material originated from sources directly controlled by the Phoenicians, thanks to their control over tin and silver sources in the Western Mediterranean. This section considers all the different material evidences which show us the diversity of contacts that took place between the Hellenic populations of the Aegean and Phoenician and Punic communities.
Data sheets
Pottery
This section proposes documentation related to ancient pottery and ceramics. This kind of material was one of most common classes of artifacts in ancient times, as many everyday objects were made of ceramic. Perfume container, fine tableware, crude commercial packing and maritime containers are some examples of the artifacts presented here.
Data sheets
Coins
Numismatic material is always an interesting source of information. Each mint was a way for a state authority to show its power, as much as a tool for mercantile and day-to-day transactions. As such, coins distribution does not directly offer evidence of contact, as money always changes hands, but some coins series, like bronze minting, are more of a proof of travels and possible relationships.
Data sheets
Epigraphy
Texts and writing are clear indicators of the presence of a Phoenician and Punic individual or community, one that expresses and interacts in its own language and writing. As such, the presence of Phoenician epigraphy always tells us that an individual from Tyre, Sidon or Carthage authored the text, or, at least, that the person who commissioned it was. Bilingual texts, in our case translated from Greek or from Phoenician, are evidently even more interesting, as they are a sign of the existence of a multicultural environment.
Data sheets
Glass
Glass production was initially a craft originating from the Ancient Near East, Egypt and the Levant, as they had sole access to the raw material sources. Phoenician craftsmen became experts in the production of small containers and jewels, artifacts whose rarity made them seen luxury goods. As time went on, more and more workshops learnt to use the raw material, but Phoenicians, and their descendants in the Western Mediterranean, were experts on this craftsmanship throughout the 1st millennium BC.
Data sheets
Other material
Many ancient objects could be connected with Phoenician and Punic populations, whether it be stone from the Levant or metal artifacts made from raw material originated from sources directly controlled by the Phoenicians, thanks to their control over tin and silver sources in the Western Mediterranean. This section considers all the different material evidences which show us the diversity of contacts that took place between the Hellenic populations of the Aegean and Phoenician and Punic communities.
