Laodicea ad Lycum held the title of neokoros — temple warden of the imperial cult — and the legend ΤΟ ΠΗ records this as the city's 188th issue under that honor, a sequential numbering system unique to Laodicean civic bronzes that allows modern scholars to build a remarkably precise chronology of the city's output. The coin dates to the final year of Caracalla's reign; he was murdered in April 217 near Carrhae while on campaign against Parthia, likely at the instigation of his Praetorian prefect Macrinus.
Laodicea had earned considerable imperial favor partly through its swift recovery and loyalty following the catastrophic earthquake of 60 AD, which it reportedly rebuilt without requesting Senate funds.
Laodicea ad Lycum held the title of neokoros — temple warden of the imperial cult — and the legend ΤΟ ΠΗ records this as the city's 188th issue under that honor, a sequential numbering system unique to Laodicean civic bronzes that allows modern scholars to build a remarkably precise chronology of the city's output. The coin dates to the final year of Caracalla's reign; he was murdered in April 217 near Carrhae while on campaign against Parthia, likely at the instigation of his Praetorian prefect Macrinus.
Laodicea had earned considerable imperial favor partly through its swift recovery and loyalty following the catastrophic earthquake of 60 AD, which it reportedly rebuilt without requesting Senate funds.