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Tarentum's bronze coinage of this period reflects the city's deteriorating autonomy following its catastrophic miscalculation in inviting Pyrrhus of Epirus to fight Rome on its behalf. After Pyrrhus withdrew in 275 BC and Rome tightened its grip, the city's once-dominant silver stater production contracted sharply, and small bronze issues like this filled local exchange needs as the polis adjusted to client-state status. By 209 BC, Tarentum had defected to Hannibal, and Rome's eventual reconquest brought severe reprisals — enslaving much of the population and stripping the city of its fleet.