Ionopolis — renamed from Abonoteichos by the emperor himself — was the hometown of Alexander of Abonoteichus, the notorious oracle-prophet whose serpent cult of Glycon drew pilgrims from across the Roman world and whose fraudulent operations were savagely attacked by Lucian of Samosata. The city received its elevated name and probable minting privileges partly through Alexander's political connections, which extended as far as the court of Marcus Aurelius via the general Rutilianus, who had married Alexander's daughter.
Provincial bronze from this city is scarce. The mint was small and active for a limited window.
Ionopolis — renamed from Abonoteichos by the emperor himself — was the hometown of Alexander of Abonoteichus, the notorious oracle-prophet whose serpent cult of Glycon drew pilgrims from across the Roman world and whose fraudulent operations were savagely attacked by Lucian of Samosata. The city received its elevated name and probable minting privileges partly through Alexander's political connections, which extended as far as the court of Marcus Aurelius via the general Rutilianus, who had married Alexander's daughter.
Provincial bronze from this city is scarce. The mint was small and active for a limited window.