Τύρας | |
 Remains of Tyras, near the medieval walls of theBilhorod-Dnistrovskyi fortress. | |
  Tyras Shown within Ukraine Show map of Ukraine Tyras Tyras (Odesa Oblast) Show map of Odesa Oblast | |
| Location | Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi,Odesa Oblast,Ukraine |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 46°12′3″N30°21′6″E / 46.20083°N 30.35167°E /46.20083; 30.35167 |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Builder | Settlers fromMiletus |
| Founded | Approximately 600 BC |
| Abandoned | Late 4th century AD |
| Periods | Archaic Greek toRoman Imperial |
| Cultures | Greek,Roman |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Ownership | Public |
| Public access | Yes |
| Official name | Городище "Тіра-Білгород" (Tyras-Bilhorod settlement) |
| Type | Archaeology |
| Reference no. | 150007-Н |
Tyras (Ancient Greek:Τύρας) was anancient Greek city on the northern coast of theBlack Sea. It was founded by colonists fromMiletus, probably about600 BC. The city was situated some 10 km from the mouth of theTyras River, which is now called theDniester. The surrounding native tribe was called theTyragetae. The ruins of Tyras are now located in the modern city ofBilhorod-Dnistrovskyi in theOdesa Oblast ofUkraine.
Of great importance in early times, in the2nd century BC Tyras fell under the dominion of native kings whose names appear on its coins, and it was destroyed by theGetae about 50 BC.[1]
In56 AD, it seems to have been restored by theRomans underNero and, henceforth, formed part of the province ofLower Moesia. There exists a series of its coins with heads ofemperors fromDomitian toAlexander Severus.[1]
Indeed, the autonomous minting of coins in the city lasted from the time of the emperorDomitian (81 AD) up to the end of the reign of the emperorAlexander Severus (235 AD) with few breaks. The coins of Tyras of this period were of copper with the portraits of the members of the Imperial house for the province of theRoman Empire.
In Tyras was stationed a small unit of the Roman fleet,Classis Flavia Moesica.
In201 CE,Septimius Severus andCaracalla granted the inhabitants of the city the right to engage in duty-free trade.[2]
Soon after the time of Alexander Severus, it was partially destroyed by theGoths, but archaeological findings show that Romans remained there until the end of the4th century underTheodosius I. Later, theByzantines renamed the city, destroyed bybarbarian invasions, with the new nameMaurokastron, "black fort".
Its government was in the hands of fivearchons, asenate, a popular assembly and a registrar. The images on its coins suggest a trade in wheat, wine and fish. The fewinscriptions are also mostly concerned with trade.[1]
Remains of the city are scant, as its site has been covered by the great medieval fortress called by theGenoeseMaurocastro (and later Akkerman/Cetatea Albă).[1]
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Minns, Ellis Hovell (1911). "Tyras". InChisholm, Hugh (ed.).Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 27 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 548. This work in turn cites:
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