Archive

R. M. Munchaev (Moscow) — G. A. Koshelenko — The Well-known Antiquity Scholar in Modern Times [p. 3]

ANCIENT ORIENT

• P. Callieri (Bologna) — Hellenistic Art on the Iranian Plateau: Movement of Objects, Movement of People [p. 12]
• F. Grenet (Paris) — 37 ans Après ‘‘Rodina Parfjan’’: quelques reflexions sur la fonction des monuments de vieille Nisa [p. 20]
• M. Gelin (Paris) — New Research on Takht-I Sangin. The General Context of the Location [p. 32]
• J. D. Lerner (Winston-Salem) — Mithridates I’s Conquest of Western Greek-Bactria [p. 45]
• A. Invernizzi (Turin) — A Bearded Tyche for Phraates II [p. 55]
• C. Lippolis, R. Menegazzi (Rome) — Children and Magic. A Glimpse of Some Terracotta Figurines from Seleucia on the Tigris [p. 73]
• V. N. Pilipko (Moscow) — Archaeological Landscape of the Dashlin Oasis and Its Historical Interpretation [p. 80]
• V. V. Mokroborodov (Tashkent) — The History and Main Problems of Archaeological Investigations of Central Asia of the “Achaemenid” Time (by the Example of the Southern Territories of Modern Uzbekistan) [p. 99]
• N. D. Dvurechenskaya (Moscow) — Preliminary Materials of 2014 Archaeological Excavations on the Uzundara Fortress [p. 124]
• M. J. Olbrycht (Rzeszów) — Alexander’s Ornamenta Regia in 330–323 BC [p. 134]
• S. V. Novikov, A. S. Anokhin (Moscow) — Eastern Campaigns by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (165-164 BC): Interrupted March [p. 143]
• A. B. Nikitin (St. Peterburg) — On the History of the Christianity in Merv [p. 164]
• A. O. Zakharov (Moscow) — Royal Inscriptions of Funan [p. 170]

ANCIENT GREECE

• I. E. Surikov (Moscow) — Herodotus 2000 years later [p. 178]

THE NORTH BLACK SEA REGION

• D. V. Zhuravlev (Moscow) — Hellenistic Pergamene Table Ware in the Northern Black Sea Region [p. 190]
• I. N. Khrapunov (Simferopol) — The 2nd Century AD Graves in the Neyzats Necropolis [p. 216]
• A. A. Zavoykin (Moscow) — The Achaemenids and the Bosporus (Historiographical Aspect of the Problem) [p. 240]
• V. P. Tolstikov (Moscow) — New Evidences for the Researching of the Ancient History of Panticapaeum: The Foundation of Apoikia and Localization of the Early Temenos [p. 261]
• V. D. Kuznetsov (Moscow) — Mud Brick: Evidence of Phanagoria [p. 282]
• Yu. N. Kuzmina, G. A. Kamelina (Moscow) — The Handmade Pottery from Monumental Building 464 in Phanagoria [p. 295]
• O. M. Voroshilova (Moscow) — A Phanagorian Tomb Made of Roman Concrete [p. 301]
• M. Yu. Treister (Berlin) — Syncretic Female Deities on the First Centuries AD Jewelry Items from Phanagoria and Gorgippia and Some Observations on Iconography of Aphrodite Urania in the Bosporan Kingdom [p. 308]
• Ye. V. Dobrovolskaya (Moscow) — Cattle of Phanagoria in the Antiquity [p. 337]
• G. P. Garbuzov (Rostov-on-Don) — Influence of the Fertility of Soils on the Spatial Distribution of the European Bosporus Ancient Settlements [p. 344]

THE CAUCASUS

• E. V. Rtveladze (Tashkent) — Δαρενης aτροπόν: the Route of the Byzantine Embassy of Zemarchos in Central Asia and the Caucasus [p. 354]
• G. V. Trebeleva, G. Yu. Yurkov (Moscow) — Kelasur River to Ulys River and the Problem of the Eastern End [p. 365]

ANCIENT NUMISMATIC

• V. A. Gaibov (Moscow) — The Dioscuri of Dilberjin [p. 384]
• N. M. Smirnova (Moscow) — The Early Coinage of Greco-Bactrian Rulers [p. 403]
• A. V. Strelkov (Moscow) — Various Opportunities of Quantitative Methods in the Analysis of Museum Numismatic Collections [p. 412]
• Eu. Ya. Turovskiy (Sevastopol) — Actual Aspects of the Numismatics of Olbia (the 4th — 3rd Centuries BC) [p. 421]

PREHISTORY

• A. R. Kantorovich (Moscow) — Repertory of Images of the Eastern-European Scythian Animal Style, Iconography Types and Categories of Decorated Artifacts (Statistical Analysis) [p. 431]

HELLENISTIC ART ON THE IRANIAN PLATEAU: MOVEMENT OF OBJECTS, MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE

P. Callieri

The complex theme of mobility is well illustrated by the spread of artefacts of Hellenistic technical and stylistic character on the Iranian plateau. This spread has its origins both in the movements of objects, linked to the trade on international routes, and in the movements of craftsmen, following upon the establishment in the Asiatic satrapies of art workshops using the Hellenistic language. The stylistic language of the Hellenistic Mediterranean koinè can, in fact, be mastered only through direct craft transmission for, unlike iconographic models, avoiding simple imitation. From sculpture to numismatics and glyptics, artefacts using this language are consistently of a high technical level and show a naturalistic vision marked by a peculiar illusionistic conception of space, quite different from artefacts stemming from other traditions in local languages, not only in Asia but also in the Mediterranean basin. The association of these artefacts with the political and social élites, evidenced by their undeniably elite character, is in fact to be considered one of the fundamental elements for the correct evaluation of this ‘lingua franca’, that recognizes neither ethnic nor cultural boundaries. On the Iranian plateau also, therefore, the presence of Hellenistic art is largely linked to the courtly clients for the Greco-Macedonian élite as well as the Iranian ruling classes, who acknowledged the exceptional role of this expression as the language of power until the end of the 1st millennium BC. It is sometimes possible to attribute the presence of a Hellenistic artefact on the Iranian plateau to import or to a local workshop. The author gives an overview of the problem and illustrates some of the representative samples of different types of mobility. He insists on the concept of craft tradition, which plays a fundamental role in the spread of the approach employing the naturalistic style.

Key words: Iran, Hellenistic art, craft tradition, import, workshops, mobility

37 ANS APRES ‘‘RODINA PARFJAN’’: QUELQUES REFLEXIONS SUR LA FONCTION DES MONUMENTS DE VIEILLE NISA

F. Grenet

In his book “The Homeland of Parthians” (Moscow, 1977), Gennady Andreyevich Koshelenko initiated a new stage in the refl exion of the settlement of Old Nisa, carefully and critically reviewed the conclusions published in “Proceedings of the South Turkmen Archaeological Complex Mission” in 1950’s. Paul Bernard, while disagreeing with some of his conclusions, published a laudatory review in Studia Iranica. Since then, thanks to fi eld surveys conducted in 1979-2006 by missions from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ashgabat and Turin, a lot of new data was received and a large number of works were published. The purpose of this article is to reevaluate of hypotheses about the following basic structures of Old Nisa:

1. The Red Building, very comparable to the aristocratic houses in Ay Khanum, probably an audience hall;

2. The Red Hall today is the object of vivid discussions concerning its architecture (a brick dome or a pyramidal roof with a wooden frame?) and its function (audience hall or memorial building of Mithridates I, whose statue was here?);

3. The Square Hall, probably a building for public audiences;

4. The Tower Building, comparable with the Halicarnassus mausoleum, and more believable the āyazan Frahātakān mentioned in the ostraca;

5. The Square House, eventually used as a treasury but initially the building for royal feasts, according to A. Invernizzi’s interesting suggestion.

Comparisons are based on the functions of the buidings located in the central part of Ay Khanum.

Key words: Nisa, Ay Khanum, Parthian art, āyazan

NEW RESEARCH ON TAKHT-I SANGIN. THE GENERAL CONTEXT OF THE LOCATION

M. Gelin

Takht-i Sangin, in the south of modern Tajikistan and in the north of ancient Bactria, is located on the right bank of Amu Darya River, on a narrow land between Teshik Tosh Mountain in the west, and in the east of the river. The excavations were carried out by several expeditions which mainly concentrated on the Oxus Temple (the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AD). French-Tajik Association (Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnology, Sciences Academy of Tajikistan and French National Centre for Scientifi c Research) has done preliminary researches in 2014, to clarify the nature and the evolution of the urban area, in order to obtain additional data on the Bactrian cities of which the closest geographically and chronologically are Bactria, Ai Khanum, Termez. Topographical and geophysical surveys were made, which we intend to continue expanding their geomorphological and geological studies. At the same time exploration was carried out in order to follow the route of archaeological excavations on two ramparts (closest to the temple). These studies are still at an early stage, but they allow us to hope for good results with the continuation of our research.

Key words: Takht-i Sangin, Ancient Bactria, Oxus Temple, urban area, fortifications, geophysics

MITHRIDATES I’s CONQUEST OF WESTERN GREEK-BACTRIA

J. D. Lerner

The article suggests the possible route taken by Mithridates I when he invaded Greek- Baktria, based on the earlier campaigns of Alexander the Great and Antiochus III. This allows the author to identify which regions of the country were seized and from whom. The result leads to a new reconstruction of Parthian-Bactrian relations in the second century BC.

Key words: Mithridates I, Greek-Bactria, Eucratides I, Alexander the Great, Antiochus III

A BEARDED TYCHE FOR PHRAATES II

A. Invernizzi

The beard applied to the face of enthroned Tyche on the tetradrachms of the Parthian King Phraates II is a mark of the supreme rank of the goddess, which in Oriental terms can be assimilated to Parthian Nana/Nanaia. The image refers to a concept of androgyny of the Divine in the primordial times of creation, which is known in the religions of the Near East and Egypt since the earliest times. In the West, it has signifi cant fi gural precedents in the Bearded Aphrodite worshipped in Cyprus and Greece in Archaic times. The latest bearded goddess is still portrayed in a Rajasthan miniature of the 18th century.

Key words: Parthian iconography, Parthian coins, Parthian Religion, androgynous Goddesses, Tyche, Nana

CHILDREN AND MAGIC. A GLIMPSE OF SOME TERRACOTTA FIGURINES FROM SELEUCIA ON THE TIGRIS

C. Lippolis, R. Menegazzi

The great variety of terracotta depicting children from Seleucia testifi es to the profound impact of Greek culture, as the subject is extremely rare in pre-Hellenistic Mesopotamia. Some evidence suggests the special meaning and (or) function for at least some of the children’ fi gurines. Moreover, a small group of them share an interesting detail: a hollow open mouth, cut-out with a tiny tool after the extraction of the statuette from the mould.

Key words: Hellenistic Mesopotamia, Seleucia on the Tigris, terracotta figurines, images of children

ARCHAEOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE OF THE DASHLIN OASIS AND ITS HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION

V. N. Pilipko

Dashlin Oasis is a unique historical and cultural object. Its development began in the second half of the 2nd millennium BC and proceeded till the 3rd century AD. Since then this district has never been accustomed by farmers. The remained microrelief allows us to follow the basic laws of development for such a long time.

Key words: Central Asia, Turkmenistan, historical geography, Early Iron Age, antiquity

THE HISTORY AND MAIN PROBLEMS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF CENTRAL ASIA OF THE “ACHAEMENID” TIME (by the Example of the Southern Territories of Modern Uzbekistan)

V. V. Mokroborodov

The article deals with the fi rst stages of archaeological investigations in the south of Central Asia of the “Achaemenid” epoch (the 6th -4th centuries BC) in the Pre-revolutionary, Soviet and post soviet periods. It treats some problems connected with formation of the systems of periodization, describes in details the history of discovery and investigation of the archaeological sites of the mid 1st millennium BC in the south of modern Uzbekistan and gives information on similar works in adjacent territories

Key words: archaeological investigations, Uzbekistan, Central Asia, “Achaemenid” epoch

PRELIMINARY MATERIALS OF 2014 ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS ON THE UZUNDARA FORTRESS

N. D. Dvurechenskaya

In 2013-2014 an archaeological research was conducted on the Bactrian Fortress of Uzundara. The monument is located in the Baisun Mountains at the top of Suzistag and blocks a possible pass from Sogd territory through Uzundara Gorge to Bactria. The powerful fortification and location indicates the importance of military-strategic value of Uzundara. The Fortress, apparently, represents one of the components of a network of the border fortification constructions, including the Bactrian wall located within 7 km to the north from Uzundara around the Iron Gate.

Uzundara Fortress, diamond-shaped in the plan, with almost triangular-shaped citadel, with outside sections of additional walls, with eleven towers, is built of stone on clay mortar and has the area of more than 2 hectares. The material received during the work allows to determine that the monument belongs to the Hellenistic period. The greater part of the received material is dated to the 3rd century BC. The monument integrity and the received material of investigation demonstrated exceptional prospects for the further research of Uzundara Fortress in the context of studying Bactrian material culture of the Hellenistic period.

Key words: Uzundara Fortress, Hellenism, Bactria, boundary system of fortification, Antiochus I, Euthydemus I

ALEXANDER’S ORNAMENTA REGIA IN 330–323 BC

M. J. Olbrycht

Alexander assumed the principal items of Iranian dress and Achaemenid regalia, but not all details of that are clear. Sources agree that Alexander wore a purple Iranian chiton with white trimmings, a belt, and a tiara. Also a kandys was part of the king’s attire. An Iranian element, the belt came into common use in the Diadochoi period. All the dress items adopted by Alexander from 330 BC were of Median origin (tunic, kandys, tiara with diadem, belt). The traditional Persian dress, consisting mainly of a long robe, was used under the Achaemenids for court ceremonies, while Median dress was typical for war and hunting.

Elements of Iranian dress appear on artifacts from the Diadochoi period as the garb of the Macedonians. So, on Alexander Sarcophagus the king (shown in a battle scene) is wearing an Iranian chiton with tight sleeves and an Iranian-style cloak. Similarly dressed, a Macedonian sometimes identifi ed as Hephaestion is shown in a Beotian helmet. In a painting from the Kinch Tomb, a Macedonian horseman is wearing an Iranian-style chiton. According to writers of the Vulgate tradition, Alexander persuaded his Companions (hetairoi) to wear Iranian dress. It included the kandys cloaks and double chitons seen worn by all Macedonian riders, i.e., hetairoi, shown on Alexander Sarcophagus.

Key words: Alexander, Iranian culture, reforms in Parthia, Macedonians, the Iranians

EASTERN CAMPAIGNS BY ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES (165-164 BC): INTERRUPTED MARCH

A. S. Anokhin, S. V. Novikov

The paper is dedicated to the reexamining of the sources concerning the eastern campaign of the Syrian King Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 165-164 BC. The authors conclude that the campaign (like the same undertakings of Antiochus’ predecessors — Seleucus II and Antiochus III — were supposed to strengthen the positions of the Seleucid state in Central Asia (Parthia) but due to the king’s sudden death was interrupted at the early stage. The work also revealed new details of the most remarkable episode of the expedition — a failed robbery attempt of the temple of Artemis-Nanaya in Susa.

Key words: Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Seleucus II, Central Asia, Parthia, Nanaya, Susa

ON THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIANITY IN MERV

A. B. Nikitin

It is quite possible that Christians first appeared in Merv, the capital of Northern Chorasan, as early as the late 1st — early 2nd century AD. The spread of Christianity to the East was closely connected with the development of international trade. Merv, an important center of culture and commerce, played a prominent part in the propagation of Christianity in eastern lands.

One should distinguish, however, between the legendary and the authentic tradition concerning the foundation of local Christian communities. Medieval Christian chronographers tended to antiquate the history of certain prominent communities tracing their origin back to the Apostles if not to Jesus himself. The Story of Bar Shabba, the founder of the Christian community of Merv, is a characteristic example. Bishop Bar Shabba worked in Merv in the late 4th century AD, in the reign of Shapur II. The success of his mission is confirmed by archaeological data (under Yazdgard I, AD 399–420, even bronze coins minted in Merv bore the sign of the cross). In a later tradition he became associated with Shapur I (the 3d century AD), and the history of Christian Merv acquired all the properties of a legend.

Key words: Merv, Christianity, missionaries, Bar Shabba

ROYAL INSCRIPTIONS OF FUNAN

A. O. Zakharov

The paper analyses the earliest Sanskrit inscriptions from the Lower Mekong River Delta that can be attributed to the kingdom of Funan: K.5, K.40 and K.876. They confirm the hypothesis that Funan was an early state and not chiefdom or principality. They also show an Indianisation of the local polity.

Key words: Funan, epigraphic, state formation, Indianisation

HERODOTUS 2000 YEARS LATER

I. E. Surikov

It is a publication of a Russian translation of an interesting Greek literary monument — “Oration of Temyres, the King of Persians”. “Temyres” is here Timur (Tamerlane). Although the text was written in the Late Byzantine period (the fi rst half of the 15th century), it in all regards (as language, historical sense, rhetorical fi gures) wholly follows the Classical traditions.

Key words: Greece, Orient, Byzantine, historiography, rhetoric, Tamerlane

HELLENISTIC PERGAMENE TABLE WARE IN THE NORTHERN BLACK SEA REGION

D. V. Zhuravlev

Hellenistic Pergamon was one of the most important trade partners for the cities of the Black Sea Littoral, and table ware was always among trade objects. Pergamene pottery has been studied by Russian and Ukraine scholars recently more than other types of ceramics. First publications about this group of pottery were written by Tatjana Knipowitch. According to some old Russian and Ukrainian publications at least a half of the pottery discovered in the Region was produced in Pergamon. Now it is obvious that the general amount of Pergamene import was not as large as it was believed by Knipowitch and her followers, however we have enough pottery from Pergamon on the Black Sea Coast. In the article present the most important groups of Pergamene Black glazed pottery, West Slope pottery, White-ground lagynoi, Relief pottery and lamps and Pergamene sigillata and appliqué pottery. The influence of Pergamene pottery tradition on the local ceramic production in the Northern Pontic area is obvious, which can be traced, for example, in the distribution of the technique of appliqué reliefs.

Pergamene pottery import developed in the Northern Black Sea Littoral from the second quarter of the 3rd century BC. From the mid 2nd century BC the number of Pergamene pottery increased. Mass production of table ware in Pergamone was connected with the strong Roman infl uence after Pergamon had become a part of Roman Republic in 129 BC. The highest peak of Pergamene table ware import to the Northern Black Sea Region is dated to the last quarter of the 2nd and fi rst half of the 1st century BC.

Key words: Pergamon, hellenistic pottery, technique West Slope, Pergamon sigillata, relief pottery, applicative reliefs, trade

THE 2nd CENTURY AD GRAVES IN THE NEYZATS NECROPOLIS

I. N. Khrapunov

The Neyzats Necropolis is located in the middle of the Crimean foothills. The vast majority of the graves there dated back to the 3rd — 4th centuries AD and refers to the Crimean variant of the Late Sarmatian Culture. A small area with the 2nd century AD burials has been discovered on the northern edge of the necropolis. The results of the excavations of the burial strluctures published in this paper. They belong to the Crimean variant of the Middle Sarmatian Archaeological Culture. The main historical conclusion that emerges from the study of the early area of Neyzats Necropolis lies in the fact the transition the Sarmatians to the settled life in the Crimean foothills and, as a consequence, the occurrence of ground burial type of Neyzats, began earlier than it has been considered namely in the second — third quarters of the 2nd century AD.

Key words: Crimea, Neyzats Necropolis, the Sarmatians, burial structures

THE ACHAEMENIDS AND THE BOSPORUS (HISTORIOGRAPHICAL ASPECT OF THE PROBLEM)

A. A. Zavoykin

The article deals with the attempts of researchers to understand the relationship of the Achaemenid Empire and the Bosporus, suggested by indirect sources. Some scholars are inclined to interpret them as the evidence of direct political dependence on Persia since the Scythian campaign of Darius I (or earlier) to the Pontic expedition of Pericles. Others believe that their contacts were limited almost exclusively to the economic sphere, or that the influence of Persia on the Spartokid state had “common” features in some structures and patterns of the political and administrative organization of the Achaemenid monarchy. They served as a paradigm for the emerging regime of personal power of the Bosporus tyrants. Reliably attested «abnormally» high level of relationships (including diplomatic) of these two counterparties in the 5th — 4th centuries BC suggests that the main subject of their relationship could become a bosporan grain export. The Achaemenids were not interested in it as a source of food, but as an instrument of pressure on the Greek centers (especially Athens), depending on the supply of marketable grain.

Key words: the Bosporus, the Archaeanactids, the Spartocids, the monarchy, the Persia, political dependence, diplomacy, Athens, marketable grain

NEW EVIDENCES FOR THE RESEARCHING OF THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF PANTICAPAEUM: THE FOUNDATION OF APOIKIA AND LOCALIZATION OF THE EARLY TEMENOS

V. P. Tolstikov

The article analyzes the latest information regarding the dating of the foundation of Pantlcapaeum Apoikia. The results of the recent archaeological investigation of the layers indicate the date of the foundation — the beginning of 6th B. C. The researching of findings as in previous years so in the period from 2010 to 2013 on the Upper plateau of Mount Mitridate confirms the author’s hypothesis of the existence of the earliest Temenos of Panticapaeum on this city’s area.

Key words: the apoikia of Panticapaeum, the time of the Foundation of Panticapaeum, the oldest layers of Panticapaeum, early temenos

MUD BRICK: EVIDENCE OF PHANAGORIA

V. D. Kuznetsov

The article deals with the use of mud bricks in archaic and early classical Phanagoria. During the period in question, this building material was the most common architectural media. Almost all the buildings in the city at that time were made of mud bricks, partly because the Taman Peninsula was extremely poor in stone. The bricks used in structural construction differed in terms of their quality. Some of them contained an increased amount of sand, which caused the walls to deteriorate prematurely. The exact dimensions of the bricks are not always easy to determine. Still, a number of buildings have preserved well enough to allow their precise measurement: 0.52 x 0.45 x 0.07 m; 0.46 x 0.42 x 0.05 m; 0.57 x 0.42 x 0.07 m.

Key words: mud bricks, building materials, Phanagoria

THE HANDMADE POTTERY FROM MONUMENTAL BUILDING 464 IN PHANAGORIA

Yu. N. Kuzmina, G. A. Kamelina

The article is a publication of few fragments of the handmade ceramics from the monumental Building No. 464 (the end of the 6th — the second quarter of the 5th century BC) explored in the central part of Phanagoria in 2012-2013. This publication is particularly relevant because of the popular opinion about the absence of the handmade ceramics in the layers of the 6th — 4th centuries BC. The findings from the monumental building are unusual and contain also 37 small lamps, Attic black-figured pottery, especially, drinking-cups etc. Together with the size of the building (more then 100 sq. m), as well as the location in the central part of the ancient city, it is obvious that the object no. 464 is one of the earliest monumental buildings of Phanagoria, which was built in the end of the 6th - beginning of the 5th century BC and destroyed by the fire due to the military actions in the second quarter of the 5th century BC.

Key words: antiquity, the Bosporan Kingdom, Phanagoria, handmade pottery

A PHANAGORIAN TOMB MADE OF ROMAN CONCRETE

O. M. Voroshilova

The article deals with the only family tomb made of Roman concrete, which is known in Phanagoria at present. This tomb was the main burial in a barrow. The published concrete tomb complies with the most of feature characteristics for the Roman period stone family tombs from Phanagoria. It is a monolithic structure with four walls blending smoothly into the vault entrance in the western wall. The inner surface of the tomb walls was designed in the form of rustic stone blocks. The grave was robbed in the antiquity. Most probably, this family tomb made of Roman concrete belonged to one of the expensive types of burial structures dating back to the first centuries AD.

Key words: Asian Bosporus, Phanagoria, necropolis, Roman concrete, funeral rites, vault, barrow

SYNCRETIC FEMALE DEITIES ON THE FIRST CENTURIES AD JEWELRY ITEMS FROM PHANAGORIA AND GORGIPPIA AND SOME OBSERVATIONS ON ICONOGRAPHY OF APHRODITE URANIA IN THE BOSPORAN KINGDOM

M. Yu. Treister

The paper is devoted to a small group of jewelry items dated to the 1st –2nd centuries AD, originated from the Asian part of the Bosporan Kingdom and decorated with matrix-hammered busts of female deities. The combination of the attributed of Artemis and Tyche on the brooch plate from Phanagoria allows the author to discuss the image as a syncretic image of Artemis- Tyche. Till nowadays the images of female deities with the attributes of Artemis and Tyche have not been detected on the jewelry from the North Pontic Region.

The analysis of the iconography of images on the objects from Gorgippia, which are often associated with that of Aphrodite Urania, does not allow the author to determine what kind of deity depicted on them. The analysis of the iconography of Aphrodite Urania in the art of the Bosporan Kingdom testifies that the images on the appliqués of funeral wreaths and on a brooch plate from Gorgippia have nothing to do with that. There are grounds to suggest that these images have prototypes in the monumental art. Most probably, in this case, we are dealing with a syncretic image, combining the attributes of Aphrodite and Artemis. This evident syncretic character is absolutely consistent with modern concepts about the cult practice of the Cimmerian Bosporus in the first centuries AD, in particular with the syncretism of the cult of the Bosporan Aphrodite, as well as the observations concerning the diverse (“polyvalent”) nature of Aphrodite, including the military.

Key words: Bosporan Kingdom, Phanagoria, Gorgippia, Aphrodite, Aphrodite Urania, Artemis, Tyche, iconography, jewelry and monumental art

CATTLE OF PHANAGORIA IN THE ANTIQUITY

Ye. V. Dobrovolskaya

In the study of animal husbandry of the ancient population of the Northern Black Sea Region the task of restoring the physical appearance of the animals by the osteological fragments found during the archaeological excavations constantly arises. The herd of cattle of antique Phanagoria was represented mainly by low animals with sufficiently powerful masticatory apparatus, mostly cows, oxen and bulls were quite numerous. We can conclude that the herd of Phanagoria was numerous, meat and dairy. The author suggests that grain was well developed in the district. It is evidenced by the large percentage of bulls and oxen, as well as the large percentage of disfigured phalanges of these animals with heavy physical labor.

Key words: Phanagoria, cattle, metapodia, antiquity

INFLUENCE OF THE FERTILITY OF SOILS ON THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE EUROPEAN BOSPORUS ANCIENT SETTLEMENTS

G. P. Garbuzov

Basing on the comparison of the natural fertility of modern soils of the Kerch Peninsula and spatial distribution of ancient settlements, the author concludes that a structure of the ancient settlement system was strongly depended on the fertility of modern soils. The author’s analysis is based on soil maps of the Kerch Peninsula on a scale of 1:200000 and recently published catalogue of the 4th-1st century BC settlements.

Key words: the European Bosporus, antiquity, rural territory, system of settlements, soils, the Kerch Peninsula

ΔΑΡΕΝΗΣ ΆΤΡΟΠΌΝ: THE ROUTE OF THE BYZANTINE EMBASSY OF ZEMARCHOS IN CENTRAL ASIA AND THE CAUCASUS

E. V. Rtveladze

The article is devoted to the localization of some geographical names mentioned in the description of the route of the Byzantine Embassy of Zemarchos from a headquarter of the Turkic Kagan Dezaualos at mountain Actag to the city Trapezunt in Georgian Lazika. Special attention is given to clarifying the so-called Darin road (Δαρενης ατροπόν), which according to the author passed along Borgustan edge (Darin heights) along the valley of Podkumok River from Kislovodsk to pass of Gum-Bashy in the upper reaches of this river.

Key words: Central Asia, North Caucasus, Sebastopolis, Corinth River, the Alans, the Sogdians, the Kholiats

ON THE GREAT ABKHAZIAN (KELASUR) WALL: FROM KELASUR RIVER TO ULYS RIVER AND THE PROBLEM OF THE EASTERN END

G. V. Trebeleva, G. Yu. Yurkov

In 2013 and 2014 Seasons the archaeological investigations were conducted in Eastern Abkhazia (Gulripsh, Ochamcha, Tkvarchal and Gali Districts). The fi xing of all objects was conducted by means of the GPS receiver. In the area from Kelasur River to Ulys River, 185 towers were recorded. All sites were included in GIS of archaeological sites of Abkhazia and compared with Yu.N. Voronov’s data. To the east of Ulys River the scheme of passing of the Kelasur Wall is viewed differently by researchers. The majority of them, after I. Adzinba, mark the route through Odzhikhu and Rech-Abaa Fortresses located in the village Chkhortol of the Tkvarchal District to Ingur River. Another way of the wall is suggested by I. Likhachev — through Bediya, without reaching the above-named fortresses. In connection with this divergence, the authors examined Odzhikhu and Rech-Abaa Fortresses in 2013. As a result, they conside that the most popular version of the wall represented by Yu.N Voronov, relying on the earlier studies of I. Adzinba isn’t right. In further researches it is necessary to pay more attention to the option presented in the map of I. Likhachev, and to look for the «east end» of the Kelasur Wall unambiguously to the west of these fortresses.

Key words: the Kelasur Wall, Fortresses of Rech-Abaa and Odzhikhu, Chkhortol complex

THE DIOSCURI OF DILBERJIN

V. A. Gaibov

The article examines the propagation of the cult of the Dioscuri on the Hellenistic East on the basis of the murals of «Dioscuri Temple» in Dilberjin. Numismatic materials have become important because of the small number and fragmentation of other sources. They give evidence of the great popularity of the cult in the region. For the first time the type of Dioscuri appears on coins of the fi rst Seleucid kings. Considerable popularity according to the numismatic materials this cult gets in the Greco-Bactrian kingdom. The coin type with Dioscuri presents in minting of Parthian kings, and among the coins of so-called Indo-Scythian coinage. Finally, the last (chronologically) group of coins with the images of the Dioscuri appears on the Hellenistic East in mintage of Gondofar. The author of the article suggests that as for the images of Dilberjin - Dioscuri are only acolytes of main deity of the temple, is likely Athena. It has also been assumed that this cult is the reflection in the religious sphere of political institute of co-reign.

Key words: Dioscuri, Dilberjin, Seleucid kings, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Indo-Scythians, numismatic materials, coinage

THE EARLY COINAGE OF GRECO-BACTRIAN RULERS

N. M. Smirnova

The paper deals with a short overview of the history of study of Bactrian secession from Seleucids as well as numismatic attribution and interpretation of early issues of Greco-Bactrian rulers. The establishment of Bactrian independence evaluated in time from Antiochus II’ reign till the time remarkable by issuing coins with Diodotus II’ own name. This process might have lasted from ten to fifteen years and in time supposed to be finally settled out by the peaceful agreement between Antiochus III and Euthydemus I turning Bactria into dependent ally. Interpretation of the royal portrait on commemorative coin series in honor of Antiochus Nikator as a portrait of a new Bactrian king by J. Jakobsson and D. Zeng comes into conflict with results of die study of Diodotus’ coinages by S. Kovalenko, F. Holt and B. Kritt.

Key words: The Bactrian secession, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, coinage, die study, attribution of coins, style of Royal portrait

VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES OF QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN THE ANALYSIS OF MUSEUM NUMISMATIC COLLECTIONS

A. V. Strelkov

An abnormal amount of Athenian bronze coins of Period I (according to the classification by J. H. Kroll) in the collection of the Numismatic Department of the State Historical Museum (Russia) suggests an inclusion in its content an unknown coin hoard. Those coins might have been purchased by the Museum after the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Key words: Athens, bronze coins, coin hoard, the Numismatic Department of the State Historical Museum (Russia)

ACTUAL ASPECTS OF THE NUMISMATICS OF OLBIA (THE 4th — 3rd CENTURIES BC)

Eu. Ya. Turovskiy

The article deals with the questions of chronology of the first three series of the large struck copper of Olbia. The conclusions on the dating of coins are based on findings of coins at archaeological sites, calculations of number of names of magistrates and an analysis of new coins recoined from old ones. The first struck copper coins were issued in Olbia at the very beginning of the 4th century BC.

Key words: Olbia, coinage, chronology

REPERTORY OF IMAGES OF THE EASTERN-EUROPEAN SCYTHIAN ANIMAL STYLE, ICONOGRAPHY TYPES AND CATEGORIES OF DECORATED ARTIFACTS (STATISTICAL ANALYSIS)

A. R. Kantorovich

The article presents the main results of the statistical analysis of the corpus of images of the Eastern-European Scythian animal style (2169 original images) from the point of view of the distribution of character and specific attribution to visual types and to categories of decorated artifacts. The basis of repertory is formed by mega-images of predators, ungulates, birds (mostly carnivorous) and syncretic creatures. Iconography standardization and canonization is primarily realized in the implementation of mega-image of bird of prey, in the second place — of images of ungulates, especially deer. Standardization is less in the development of the images of predators and syncretic creatures. More than two-thirds of the images shape or decorate items of horse equipment and weapon.

Key words: Eastern-European Scythian animal style, repertory, statistics of images