The site of the ancient town of Pautalia today is named Kyustendil. It is located in the very west of Bulgaria, ca. 80 km southwest of Sofia and 22 km from the border with the Republic of Macedonia.
A Thracian settlement emerged at the place of the modern town in the 5th-4th century BC, which was turned into an improtant stronghold, balneological resort and trade junction called Pautalia by the Romans in the 1st century AD.
Achaea was a province of the Roman Empire, consisting of the modern-day Peloponnese in southern Greece and bordered on the north by the provinces of Epirus and Macedonia. The region was annexed to the Roman Republic in 146 BC after a brutal campaign, in which the city of Corinth was razed by the Roman general Lucius Mummius, its inhabitants slaughtered or sold into slavery, and the temples looted for sculpture for Roman villas.
From the last punic war til 260 AD. Rome had been at the meridian, the dominating empire of the ancient world
But pride goes before a fall.
Probably during the first half of AD 260 emperor Valerianus I who shared the power with his son Gallienus, had been taken prisoner by the Sasanians. This was an incident that never occured before to a Roman emperor. After the capture of Valerian I by Shapur the (already weak) silver coinage becomes bronze with a silvery surface. The former bronze coinage, essential part of the old monetary system (and a few years later the provincial coinage) disappeares.
Although reforms of later emperors introduced new systems the former stability of the (currency) system was never regained.
These imitations are another and unavoidable aspect of our hobby. The alternative title for this album could be "black cabinet" if we see them only negative and dangerous.
But there are very beautiful authentic pieces we will never be able to afford in acceptable condition by working with our own hands.
Imitations can be a danger and an opportunity to improve our experience. To have them at hand can also be a constant warning.
