Παντικάπαιον(in Ancient Greek) | |
 Theprytaneion of Pantikapaion, second century BC.Kerch's Obelisk of Glory is visible in the background. | |
.jpg)  Pantikapaion Shown within Crimea Show map of Crimea Pantikapaion Pantikapaion (Black Sea) Show map of Black Sea | |
| Location | Kerch,Autonomous Republic of Crimea |
|---|---|
| Region | Taurica |
| Coordinates | 45°21′3″N36°28′7″E / 45.35083°N 36.46861°E /45.35083; 36.46861 |
| Type | Settlement |
| Area | 100 ha (250 acres) |
| History | |
| Builder | Settlers fromMiletus |
| Founded | 7th or 6th century BC |
| Abandoned | Approximately 370 AD |
| Periods | Archaic Greek |
| Cultures | Greek |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Ownership | Public |
| Public access | Yes |
| Official name | Архітектурно-археологічний комплекс "Стародавнє місто Пантікапей" (Architectural and archaeological complex of the Ancient city of Pantikapaion) |
| Type | Archaeology |
| Reference no. | 010017-Н |
Pantikapaion (Ancient Greek:ΠαντικάπαιονPantikapaion, fromScythian*Pantikapa 'fish-path';[1]Latin:Panticapaeum) was anancient Greek city on the eastern shore ofCrimea, which the Greeks calledTaurica. The city lay on the western side of theCimmerian Bosporus, and wasfounded byMilesians in the late 7th or early 6th century BC, on a hill later namedMount Mithridat. Its ruins now lie in the modern city ofKerch.
During the first centuries of the city's existence, imported Greek articles predominated:pottery (seeKerch Style),terracottas, and metal objects, probably from workshops inRhodes,Corinth,Samos, andAthens. Local production, imitated from the models, was carried on at the same time. Athens manufactured a special type of bowl for the city, known asKerch ware. Local potters imitated theHellenistic bowls known as theGnathia style as well as relief wares—Megarian bowls. The city minted silver coins from the 5th century BC and gold and bronze coins from the 4th century BC.[2] At its greatest extent it occupied 100 hectares (250 acres).[3] TheHermitage andKerch Museums contain material from the site, which is still being excavated.
In the 5th–4th centuries BC, the city became the residence first of theArchaeanactids and then of theSpartocids, dynasties ofThracian kings ofBosporus, and was hence itself sometimes called Bosporus. Its economic decline in the 4th–3rd centuries BC was the result of theSarmatian conquest of the steppes and the growing competition ofEgyptian grain.
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The last of theSpartocids,Paerisades V, apparently left his realm toMithridates VI Eupator, king ofPontus. This transition was arranged by one of Mithridates's generals,Diophantus, who earlier had been sent to Taurica to help local Greek cities againstPalacus of theScythian kingdom in Crimea. The mission did not go smoothly: Paerisades was murdered byScythians led bySaumacus, and Diophantus escaped to return later with reinforcements to suppress the revolt (c. 110 BC).
Half of a century later, Mithridates took his life in Pantikapaion, when, after his defeat in awar againstRome, his son and heirPharnaces and citizens of Pantikapaion turned against him.
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