Page 10 - Koga po~nav da ja pi{uvam prikaznata za vino sakav da gi izbegnam site misti~ni stapici koi kako crveni rubini go osvetluvaat patot kon po~etok na ovoj bo`estven pijalok

etymological sense that krater derived from AKRATO or conversely, krater served
as an initial basis for the forming of the word KRATOSIJA. But as we already
noted these are just assumptions that are hard to prove, but as an initial basis are
very interesting. The main distribution of wine was made by the merchants. Wine
was transported by caravans in ceramic containers which were the only thing that
could maintain the quality of the wine during transport. But where did the merchant
come from with their caravans? Where was this market for exchanging goods? All
the assumptions go in favor of STENAE (Demir Kapija), or maybe the lost
Paionian city of Meneya. Since the time of Pirayhme, Paionian ruler, the
geostrategic position of the valley (Demir Kapija) had an epicenter spot. With
strong military establishment represented a strong strategic position, but also
assured safety to the merchants to organize the exchange of the goods here. Military
camps on the right and on the left side of the valley (STENAE and RAMNISTE)
beside the defensive function they had the task to protect the gold and copper
mines, and also the mouth flow of the gold-bearing river Dosnica, from which gold
was extracted by separation of the gold-bearing sand and mud. The material
evidence for this claim is modest but sufficient to draw attention. Even today, when
nature lovers walk by the flow of river Dosnica have the opportunity to see the big
rocks (modraci) which not even the strong spring flow of the river caused by the
melting of the snow on Kozuf Mountain, couldn’t move from the river basin. These
rocks were actually the construction material for the cascades which were built to
keep gold-bearing sand or mud, which during the summer period at low water flow
of the river is being pulled out and from it with separation the gold is extracted.
This fact is one of the many that explains the presence of early ancient fortresses in
Demir Kapija. One of the truths is certainly that the nearest road that starts from the
Thessaloniki bay and goes toward the continent passing through the Demir Kapija
valley. That allowed strong trading frequency and establishment of caravan roads
through, or nearby the valley. Beside the caravan roads, river Axios (Vardar)
represented suitable waterway to transport the wooden construction materials that
was used by the Macedonians for building their ships. There is an assumption that
even the Phrygians traded wood from the forest regions of Kozuf Mountain, Serta
and Klepa with the Phoenicians and the Egyptians. A special story is the story about
Lina, type of tisa, wood from which the ancient Macedonians and Panonians made
bows and arrows, but also and the famous long spears. Special significance in the
military formation of Philip and Alexander had the phalanges where the most
significant place held the spear bearers. All of the mentioned resources are in order
of justifying the position of STENAE (Demir Kapija) as exceptional trading post.
But one of the most important goods that were traded was of course wine. It is of
great importance to bring out the fact that Tikvesh region even then represented a
big wine region, where primary occupation of the natives is viticulture. In STENAE
(Demir Kapija) was found a silver coin tao tey which in numismatic sense is
unique, single copy of a coin in world numismatics. The coin on its averse shows a
wine crater (in relief), and on its reverse a cow, very often used in the Macedonian
symbolism. The coin found in STENAE (Demir Kapija) poses a puzzle to the
scientific community that refers to the assumption that this coin is forged in the
settlement that existed on this site because there are no similar coins forged by the
famous mints. For us the symbol on the averse is primary it indicates the wine cult,
that probably had priority. The coin tao tey is not the only direction pointer that
goes in favor of the exclusivity of the Tikvesh region and Demir Kapija when it
comes to wine. Silver stator found in Demir Kapija on the averse shows wine crater,
and on the reverse Dionysus on throne with raised wine goblet in his right hand.
From total of six known kraters (wine containers) in the world, three are found in
Demir Kapija. These kraters with their size and artistic shape can lead us to the

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