Reverse: Head of Athena facing right, wearing a crested helmet

Little is known about the history of the ancient Pisidian city of Selge. According to Strabo, the city was founded during the 2nd millennium B.C. by Calchas, a mythical soothsayer who appeared in stories of the Trojan War. Various waves of colonists thereafter settled in Selge, including the Spartans and the Rhodians. Protected by cliffs and valleys, Selge was built on three hills and fortified by a city wall, which had several entrance gates and defense towers. Strabo mentioned the natural beauty of the city, with its large fruit gardens, fertile valleys and forests. The city’s wealth came from the production of olives, herbal medications, and wine. The Pisidian city of Termessos was a bitter rival of Selge, and after Termessos allied themselves with Alexander the Great, Selge was besieged by Alexader’s army during his fabled conquests. However, through much of its history, Selge managed to maintain its independence, most notably throughout the duration of the Roman Empire and into the Byzantine era. Selge was the first Psidian city to mint coins in this region, dating to the 5th century B.C. during the Persian rule of Asia Minor. They continued to mint their own coins until 3rd century A.D., which provides evidence of both their independence and economic might.