СВІТОВИЙ ДОСВІД В ІНТЕРПРЕТАЦІЇ «ПРОБЛЕМНИХ» МОНЕТНИХ МОНОГРАМ ОЛЬВІЇ
GLOBAL EXPERIENCE IN THE INTERPRETATION OF THE «PROBLEM» COIN MONOGRAMS OF OLBIA

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the article is to check the possibility of applying global experience (selectively) to the interpretation of "problem" Olbian monograms (reductions). The topic is vast so we will consider only some episodes. The present article is a direct continuation of theoretical studies of legends (letters, abbreviations, and monograms) on coins of classical & Hellenistic times of Olbia. Thetheoretical and methodological background of the study is typical scientific methods, including system analysis, combined with the author's own research. In this case, the tools of prosopography research of coin legends proposed by us were used: directly, prosopography, inheritance of professional activity, ancestral inheritance of monograms, synthesis of numismatic classifications, and prosopography interpretations of legends on the chronological basis of the restored Olbian eponymous chronology, etc.Scientific novelty.In contrast to the onomastic interpretations performed by our predecessors devoid of historical context, we are publishing for the first time the results of the prosopography (historical) interpretation of a group of "problem" Olbian coin monograms (abbreviations) of the classical and Hellenistic times. Main results of the research. 1 New prosopography tools for the interpretation of coin monograms (reductions), which were built based on the restoration of the Olbian chronology of the IV–Icenturies BC., proved to be quite effective; with their help, we have already received almost all the gains that were literally "lying on the surface". However, to get rid of the euphoria, we remind the reader that currently we still have too many completely undeciphered "problem" Olbian monograms (reductions), as well as monograms for which there is a high risk of interpretation; they are offered numerous, currently insurmountable alternative reading options. Accordingly, further advancement in the direction of interpretation of "problematic" monograms (reductions) implies the need to carry out individual studies of each of them, in particular, by taking into account the global experience; this is the main methodological conclusion from the conducted research; note that the need to apply this experience was practically not felt at the initial stage. 2. At one time, we proposed the main thesis that upon reaching the appropriate level of study of a specific urban community, prosopography becomes dominant in the study of monuments containing the names of local historical figures, in that case, in the form of fragments, as well as coin monograms (reductions). However, this thesis needs to be expanded, in particular, prosopography studies of local in the geographical sense of coin monograms (abbreviations) must necessarily take into account the global experience of the interpretation of similar monograms (reductions). However, the mechanical transfer of global experience is inadmissible; a critical rethinking of monograms (reductions) deciphered by researchers is mandatory. 3. Earlier we established that the monograms (reductions) belonging to the higher elite have a high correlation with the eponymous catalogue IOSPE I2 201. That is why their prosopography interpretation and their prosopography dating are relatively simple and reliable. The vast majority of "problem" Olbian monograms (reductions) probably belong to representatives of secondary elite families; as is known, prosopography information about such families is incomplete; this is the main factor complicating their interpretation.4. Taking into account the global experience, in particular, the reliably deciphered monograms of the carver Zoilos(Ζωΐλου) on the tetradrachms of Philip V of Macedon and Perseus of Macedon, we suggest the reading of the "problematic" monogram and its variant on "Borysthenes" No 28, 29, approximately 282 BC., as belonging to a real historical person – ZoilosPedeos(Ζώϊλος (II) Πεδιέως).He is adescendant of the elite secondary family Pedeon family and the grandson of the eponym in 336 BC. (Ζώϊλος (I) Πεδιέως), also the son of an agoranom and head of the collegium of agoranomesPedeusZoiloys (Πεδιεὺς (II) Ζωΐλου).The same person left a similar monogram on coins of the OI EΠTA series (around 280 BC.). Next, according to the tradition of monogram inheritance, the grandson of this person (Ζώϊλος (III) Πεδιέως)left a similar monogram on coins of theΠEE series around 230–220 BC.One of P. Karyshkovsky's hypotheses about the possibility of reading the abbreviationΠΕΕ by the name Πεδιεὺς(real historical person - Πεδιεὺς (III) Ζωΐλου) was confirmed. For monogram No 25 ( ), one of the variants of its interpretation with the name Πεδιεὺς (II) Ζωΐλου has been confirmed (but not definitively overcome). For the monogram No 53 ( ), a hypothesis was proposed for the first time regarding the interpretation of its name as Πεδιεὺς (III) Ζωΐλου. These persons of the same name are descendants of the elite secondary family Pedeon –agoranom(ἀγορανόμος) and coin magistrates of the III century BC. For the first time, a hypothesis was proposed regarding the interpretation of the different No 26 ( )on "Borysthenes" by the name of LamponPedeus (Λάμπων (II) Πεδιέως?) from the Pedeon family; he is the grandson of the wall builder LamponPedeos (Λάμπων (I) Πεδιέως?).Next, similar monogram (according to V. Orlyk) on the "Borysthenes" of the last groups of 220 BC.is the ancestral inheritance of monogram No 26 ( ) and belongs to the grandson of Lampon(Λάμπων (II) Πεδιέως?); it’s the coin magistrate LamponPedeus(Λάμπων (III) Πεδιέως?).A silver coin of about 170 BC.as a next family heritage belongs to Lampon(IV)(Λάμπων (IV) Πεδιέως?). So, taking into account the global experience made it possible to consistently read a whole series of "problematic" monograms, united by their belonging to representatives of the secondary Olbian family Pedeon, and to offer so far, no alternative hypotheses for their interpretation: , , , . 5. The appearance at the domestic auction of a coin of the "obol series" with a clear abbreviation ΝΑΥ confirms our previously proposed interpretation of the ΝΑ reduction on the "Borysthenes" N 30 as belonging to a representative of the elite secondary family of the Geroxenus, of the member of sytons (σιτώνας) collegium from the dedication IOlb 72 NautimosGeroxenous(ΝαύτιμοςἩροξένου). According to tradition, the reduction ΝΑ is the ancestral inheritance of the reduction ΝΑΥ. 6. Hypotheses formed taking into account the complexity of real processes in Olbia's coinage must be considered preliminary. The perspective of further research. In general, the conducted studies confirm the perspective of further investigations on a systematic basis, in particular, taking into account the global experience. So, taking into account the specifics of the interpretation of monograms, step by step, overcoming alternative options, we are approaching sustainable real options for interpretation.The obtained materials can be used to build an interpretive catalogue of Olbian coin monograms (reductions).The hypotheses formed in view of the complexity of the real processes in the coinage of Olbia should be considered as preliminary.

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