CILICIA. Tarsus. Commodus, 177-192. Hexassarion (Bronze, 33 mm, 19.79 g, 12 h). ΑΥΤ•ΚΑΙ•Μ•ΑΥΡ•ΚΟΜΟΔΟC•CЄ Bust of Commodus to right, wearing crown and garment of the demiourgos. Rev. [ΤΑ]ΡCΟΥ•ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩ/C• / ΔΙC•ΝΕΩΚΟ/ΡΟΥ• Decastyle temple, with eagle on pediment and ΚΟΜΟΔЄΙΟC on architrave. SNG Paris 1463 (same dies). SNG PFPS 1350 (same dies). A beautiful and well struck example of this interesting issue. Some roughness, otherwise, good very fine.




Commodus is here shown wearing the typical garment of the demiourgoi, literally 'artisans', which were a group of city officials in Tarsos. Like some other emperors, Commodus appears to have been included in their ranks, possibly upon visiting the city.