100 Key Events in Ukrainian History

PANTICAPAEUM AS THE OLDEST CITY IN UKRAINE AND EASTERN EUROPE

PANTICAPAEUM AS THE OLDEST CITY IN UKRAINE AND EASTERN EUROPE

Historical science considers that the European civilization emerged in the western part of Europe. That was the place where Athens and Rome appeared. Those were the sources of the first technologies and roads. Scholars and warriors of those lands left descriptions of their achievements in the chronicles. Regarding Ukraine, large cities on its territory are, as a rule, just casually mentioned. However, it was the Ukrainian terrain that happened to be the land of Panticapaeum, the oldest city in Eastern Europe. Studies provide evidence that the city was founded in 615—610 BC.

Panticapaeum ruins

The ruins of Panticapaeum are located in the modern town of Kerch in the eastern part of the Crimean peninsula. The ancient city was founded on the mountain called Mitridat by ancient Greeks. Panticapaeum was quite a large city of the time — the built-up area was about 100 hectares. As to the name of the ancient city, it is still controversial in the scientific community. Some researchers believe that the city was called after the Pantikap River, which once flowed there. Others prove that the name of Panticapaeum meant the "Fish Way," because it is known that in Old Iranian panta meant the way, route, while kapa meant fish.

Panticapaeum has long been explored by archaeologists. They continue finding some surprising discoveries. For example, it is known that the rulers of Panticapaeum coined their money long time ago.The first gold and silver pieces, found in the ancient city, contained an image of a lion's head on the obverse and a square on the reverse side. These coins were stricken till the last quarter of the 5th century BC, after which the coin design was somewhat changed. They depicted a head of a bull and a hexagram star.

Panticapaeum coins

It is reported that since the foundation of Panticapaeum its patron had been Appollo, like in ancient Troy. The main temple of Panticapaeum was devoted to this god. Other temples were built in honour of Aphrodite and Dionysus. In addition to temples, Panticapaeum was famous for its royal palace, a traditional square and an amphitheatre.

Excavations in Panticapaeum site on Mitridat mountain

A strong stone reinforcement system was built around the city.

Reconstruction of ancient Panticapaeum Acropolis

Nearby there was a necropolis, which consisted of a long series of burial hills, stretching along roads from the city to the steppe.

Terracotta Hercules from Kerch

From the southern side the city was surrounded with the biggest number of the burial hills, called Yuz-Oba, which is translated as 100 hills. Beneath these hills Scythian nobility representatives were buried. Once there was an Acropolis as well, with spacious streets and squares. One could enjoy the view of luxurious temples and palaces. Today only ruins can be seen there.

The legend says that Panticapaeum was founded during the time of the Argonauts by the son of Aeeta, the king of the mythical country of Aea. He, chasing the Argonauts after stealing Medea and the Golden Fleece, arrived from Colchis at the shore of Cimmerian Bosporus and received a permit to found a city there from the Scythian king Agaete. Another legend tells that it was in that ancient city on the territory of modern Kerch that legendary Hercules was born.