Arsinoe

1. Geographical Position – Identification

Coastal city of Cilicia located, according to sources, between Anemurium and Celenderis and probably identified with the modern coastal site of Molla Veli Çiftliği. It was founded between 270 and 260/253 BC. Important information about the administrative organisation, economy and religion of the city derives from a 280 BC inscription. The city was a bishopric in the 6th c. AD.

The geographical position of Arsinoe has not been verified. As indicated by relevant references to a city under this name between Anemurium and Celenderis, the city is probably identified with the modern coastal position of Molla Veli Çiftliği.1Strabo adds Nagidus to the cities neighbouring Arsinoe reporting that the latter also had a roadstead, while Pliny reports a city called Arsinoe in the area of Celenderis, though a little to the west, between Selinus and Iotape.2 The earlier identification of the 3rd c. BC Arsinoe with the Cilician Nagidus, made by A.H.M. Jones, is disproved by an inscription today exhibited at the museum of Μersin, which includes a letter sent by Thraseus, the general of Cilicia, to Arsinoe as well as a resolution of Nagidus regulating the relations of the city with Arsinoe.3 The inscription confirms Strabo, who reports the two cities separately. The city is reported as bishopric in the early 6th c. AD, since the Monophysite bishop Photi(a)nos was exiled from there in 519.

2. History

2.1. Foundation

Arsinoe was founded between 270 and 260/53 BC,4 on land initially possessed by Nagidus. It was one of the cities named after Arsinoe II, Ptolemy II’s wife.5 Information about the foundation and the administrative organisation of Arsinoe is derived from the inscription including a letter sent by the general of Cilicia, Thraseus, to Arsinoe and a resolution of Nagidus.6 It is reported that the founder of Arsinoe, Aetus of Aspendus, son of Apollonius and general of Cilicia on behalf of the Ptolemies,7 chased off the barbarians who invaded the land of Nagidus, brought settlers and gave them land. One generation later, when Thraseus, Aetus’ son, was general of Cilicia under Ptolemy III Euergetes, the land was permanently granted by Nagidus to the first settlers. In this way, the city became autonomous and equal before the law to neighbouring Nagidus, but also had economic obligations to the Ptolemies: the permanent concession of the land by Nagidus to the inhabitants of Arsinoe and the recording of holdings were accompanied by the subordination of Arsinoe to the Ptolemaic taxation and the payment of tax to the kings.8 It is assumed that the city maintained its name even after it was once again incorporated into the Seleucid territory in 197 BC.9

The origin of the early inhabitants of Arsinoe remains unknown. As inferred by a Nagidus decree, it is possible that Thraseus brought additional inhabitants to Arsinoe, who were probably recognised as settlers from Nagidus.

2.2. Economy

Although there is meager information about the economy of the city, a hoard of approximately 5,000 silver coins brought to light in 1980 close to the city, at Μeydancık near Gülnar, reveals that the city was near a commercial hub;10 other income from the roadstead should not be excluded.

2.3. Administrative Organisation

More information is available about the internal organisation of the city. Among the the notable citizens a treasurer is reported, while the city was clearly under the administration of the Ptolemaic general of Cilicia. In Thraseus’ years, Arsinoe had its own archives and laws. Besides, certain regulations dealt with the relations between Arsinoe and the neighbouring city of Nagidus. The inscription provides that any administrative pending case between Nagidus and Arsinoe should be settled in the city where the case came up.

The same inscription refers to a sacred precinct dedicated to Arsinoe in the city and to sacrifices to the gods-brothers Ptolemy and Arsinoe in certain months. Finally, as Nagidus and Arsinoe were equal before law (isopoliteia), the first city granted Arsinoe the right to participate in its rituals. There was also provision for the recording of the inhabitants of Arsinoe in tribes so that they could participate in rites performed in Nagidus, particularly in sacrifices honouring Homonoia. It is very likely that Arsinoe participated in the cult ceremonies dedicated to the gods Hermes and Heracles, which were performed in the wider area of the city.11

3. Archaeological Remains

Roman or Early Byzantine remains survive in the area of Molla Veli Çiftliği, which is possibly identified with Arsinoe. Foundations and walls of Early Imperial houses were found very close to each other. Three Early Byzantine three-aisled basilicas with narthex, built of opus incertum, are preserved at the centre of the settlement (at different levels); only their foundations have survived. Roman chamber tombs were found to the west. The settlement was abandoned in the Late Roman period, before the neighbouring settlement of Syke expanded to the NW in the valley.



1. References to the city are found in Ptolemy (Ptol., 5.7.3), Τabula Peutingeriana 8.2 and Strabo (Strabo, 14.5.3). For the identification of the place name, see Cohen, G., The Hellenistic Settlements in Europe, the Islands, and Asia Minor (Berkeley - Los Angeles - Oxford 1995), p. 363. Hild and Hellenkemper identify the city, which is evidenced until the 6th c. AD, with the remains at Maraş Harabeleri, a small cape to the east of Çubukkoyaği, approximately 1 km to the south of Softa Kalesi (Syke), 15 km NE of Anemurium. Finally, modern research is divided over the identification of Arsinoe reported in papyri with the namesake city of Pamphylia or that of Cilicia: Cohen, G., Τhe Hellenistic Settlements in Europe, the Islands, and Asia Minor (Berkeley - Los Angeles – Oxford 1995), pp. 163-164; see. Jones, C. P. – Habicht, Ch., “A Hellenistic Inscription from Arsinoe in Cilicia”, Phoenix 43 (1989), pp. 317-346, mainly p. 337, who believe Arsinoe reported in the papyrus P. Mich. Zen. 10.5.10 and 13 was in Cilicia, while they assume that Arsinoe was still under Ptolemaic control after 257 BC.

2. Plin., ΝΗ 5.92. The cities of Arsinoe and Verenice are not included in the list of Cilician cities compiled by Hieronymus: Bagnall, R., The Administration of Ptolemaic Possessions Outside Egypt (Leiden 1976), p. 115.

3. Jones, C.P. – Habicht, Ch., “A Hellenistic Inscription from Arsinoe in Cilicia”, Phoenix 43 (1989), pp. 317-346.

4. Strabo, 14.5.3. Jones and Ηabicht believe Arsinoe was possibly founded in the 260s BC: Jones, C. P. – Habicht, Ch., “A Hellenistic Inscription from Arsinoe in Cilicia”, Phoenix 43 (1989), pp. 317-346.

5. Jones, C.P. – Habicht, Ch., “A Hellenistic Inscription from Arsinoe in Cilicia”, Phoenix 43 (1989), pp. 317-346, mainly p. 333. It should be noted that Arsinoe was founded from scratch by the Ptolemies and was not refounded, as it is generally supported in the cases of cities named after Hellenistic rulers.

6. Jones, C.P. – Habicht, Ch., “A Hellenistic Inscription from Arsinoe in Cilicia”, Phoenix 43 (1989), pp. 317-346.

7. For the service Aspendus offered to the Ptolemies, see Jones, C. P. – Habicht, Ch., “A Hellenistic Inscription from Arsinoe in Cilicia”, Phoenix 43 (1989), pp. 317-346, mainly p. 338, including earlier bibliography. It should be noted that the inscription is a valuable source providing information about the background of Thraseus’ family.

8. The regulation exempted the inhabitants who, according to the inscription, Thraseus would bring to Arsinoe and would be recognised as settlers from Nagidus: Jones, C. P. – Habicht, Ch., “A Hellenistic Inscription from Arsinoe in Cilicia”, Phoenix 43 (1989), pp. 317-346.

9. For the capture of the area by Antiochus III, see Hieronymus, In Dan. 11.5-16 ( = FGrH 260 F 46); Cohen, G.M., The Hellenistic Settlements in Europe, the Islands and Asia Minor (Berkeley – Los Angeles – Oxford 1995), pp. 363-4.

10. Davesne, A., “A propos du trésor des monnaies de Gülnar en Cilicie: problèmes numismatiques et “graffiti” monétaires. I”, RA (1985), pp. 29-46; Le Rider, G., “Les alexandres d’ argent en Asie Mineure et dans l’ orient séleucide au IIIe siècle av. J.-C. (c. 275-c. 225). Remarques sur le système monétaire des Séleucides et des Ptolemées”, JSav (1986), pp. 3-51.

11. The cult of Hermes and Herakles in the wider area of Arsinoe is evidenced by the inscription dedicated by Meas of Aspendus, which was found at Meydancik, near Gülnar: SEG 31.1321; see Le Rider, G., “Les alexandres d’ argent en Asie Mineure et dans l’ orient séleucide au IIIe siècle av. J.‑C. (c. 275‑c. 225). Remarques sur le système monétaire des Séleucides et des Ptolemées”, JSav (1986), pp. 3‑51, mainly p. 48‑49. Jones and Habicht add Meas of Aspendus as well as Aetus, Thraseus and Ptolemy to the list of the known officials of Aspendus serving under the Ptolemies: Jones, C.P. – Habicht, Ch., “A Hellenistic Inscription from Arsinoe in Cilicia”, Phoenix 43 (1989), pp. 317‑46, mainly p. 338, n. 59.