History of Heraclea Pontica and its coins during the Hellenistic and Roman Imperial Periods

The aim of this thesis is to examine the history and coins of Heraclea Pontica, a Bithynian city on the southwest coast of the Black Sea, during the Hellenistic and Roman Imperial periods. Since there has not been a graduate thesis with this name and content before, I believe that this thesis will be the basic source for the further studies about this field. The thesis is based on two main spines: the historical process of the city and its coins. Ancient sources and modern works were used in the historical process. The coin section is based on the identification of the coins in the published catalogs and the creation of a catalog. Heraclea Pontica, on the soutwest coast of the Black Sea, has become a stopover point for the ships with its antique harbor. Starting by establishment, Heraclea Pontica gained importance in the Black Sea area until the Rome in 70 BC. Due to its location, the city expanded its territory from the Sangarius to the Parthenius. It had a democratic structure during the foundation period, later, during the tyranny of Dionysios, the city reached a peak of its power. In the war between Mithradates and the Romans, the city was looted by Aurelius Cotta, the city had left its old glory days behind. The ancient literary works and numerous coins left by the city play an important role in our exploration of the city's history. In the first part, the establishment, development and political events of the city were discussed during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. II. Section, the evaluation of the coins of the city was done and III. The Catalog section includes, the coins minted during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the characteristics, descriptions and legends on the coins have been tried to be presented.