Æ27 - Antoninus Pius ΤΟΝ ΚΤΙϹΤΗΝ ΝΙΚΑΙΕΙϹ

The title ΚΤΙϹΤΗΝ — "founder" or "ktistes" — granted to Antoninus Pius by Nicaea was an honorific rooted in the city's gratitude for imperial benefaction, likely tied to reconstruction aid following earthquake damage that struck the region during his reign. Nicaea had a long habit of cultivating imperial favor this way; the city's position on major road routes through Bithynia made Roman goodwill strategically valuable.

The ktistes designation was not automatic — it required a formal civic vote and embassy to Rome.