The Cult of Chersonasos in Tauric Chersonesos: Numismatic and Epigraphic Evidence Revisited

This paper discusses the nature of the cult of a certain Chersonasos who appears in the so-called Diophantos decree from Tauric Chersonesos ( IOSPE I 2 352, 52). The interpretation of Chersonasos, especially in connection with the local coinage, has long been a matter of debate and still remains an open question. The coins that are traditionally interpreted as bearing the image of Chersonasos date from the 1st cent. BC to the 2nd cent. AD . It is demonstrated that in fact they represent more than one type of a head image, which may lead to interpretations divergent from the traditional point of view. It is argued that Chersonasos represented on local coinage was a personification of the city; previous interpretations are reassessed and a plausible explanation of the occurrence of this cult is offered in connection with the political situation of the city during the Roman period.