Syria, Etc.Ancient| coins from Syria for Sale in the Forum| Ancient| Coins| shop| Bellinger, A.R. The Excavations at Dura-Europos, Final Report, Vol. 6: The Coins. (New Haven, 1949). (α) The Seleucid KingsAncient| coins from the Seleukid Kingdom for Sale in the Forum| Ancient| Coins| shop| Babelon, E. Les Rois de Syrie, etc. (Paris, 1890).Bunbury, E. Unpublished Coins of the Kings of Syria in Num. Chron., 1883, pp. 65 ff. Cohen, E. Dated Coins of Antiquity: A comprehensive catalogue of the coins and how their numbers came about. (Lancaster, PA, 2011). Gardner, P. Catalogue of Greek Coins in the British Museum, The Seleucid Kings of Syria. (London, 1879). Hill, G.F. Catalogue of Greek Coins in the British Museum: Phoenicia. (London, 1910). Hoover, O. Handbook of Syrian Coins, Royal and Civic Issues, Fourth to First Centuries BC. HGCS, Vol. 9. (Lancaster, PA, 2009). Houghton, A., C. Lorber, and O. Hoover. Seleucid Coins: A Comprehensive Catalog. (Lancaster, 2002 - 2008). Houghton, A. Coins of the Seleucid Empire from the Collection of Arthur Houghton. ACNAC 4. (New York, 1983). Imhoof-Blumer, F. "Die Mnzsttte Babylon, etc." in Num. Zeit., 1895, pp. 1 ff. Levante, E. Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum Switzerland I. Levante-Cilicia. (1986, and supplement). Lindgren, H.C. and F.L. Kovacs. Ancient Bronze Coins of Asia Minor and the Levant. (1985). Lindgren, H.C. Lindgren III: Ancient Greek Bronze Coins from the Lindgren Collection. (1993). Maonald, G. Hunter Catalog, Vol. iii. (1905). pp. 5-117, Maonald, G. "Early Seleucid Portraits" in Journ. Hellen. Stud., 1903, pp. 92 ff., and 1907, pp. 145 ff. Nelson, B. "The 2005 'Seleucus I' Hoard" in CH X (2010). Newell, ET. Late Seleucid Mints in Ake-Ptolemais and Damascus. ANSNNM 84 (1939). Newell, E.T. The Coinage of the Eastern Seleucid Mints. From Seleucus I to Antiochus III. (New York, 1938). Newell, E.T. The Coinage of the Western Seleucid Mints, From Seleucus I to Antiochus III. (New York, 1941). Newell, E.T. The Seleucid Mint of Antioch. (Chicago, 1978). Price, M. J. The Coinage of in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus. (London, 1991). Sear, D. Greek Coins and Their Values, Volume 2, Asia and Africa. (London, 1979). Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Denmark, The Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, Danish National Museum, Volume 7: Cyprus to India. (West Milford, NJ, 1982). Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, France, Cabinet des Mdailles, Bibliothque Nationale. (Paris, 1993 - 2001). Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Israel I, The Arnold Spaer Collection of Seleucid Coins. (London, 1998). Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum Switzerland I. Levante-Cilicia. (Zurich, 1986; & suppl., 1993). Seleucus I (Nicator), B.C. 312-280, was the founder of the dynasty. He had been one of Alexanders principal officers, and was appointed satrap of Babylon by the regent Antipater in B.C. 321. Expelled by 756
Antigonus five years later, he fled to Egypt, where Ptolemy gave him
command of his fleet. In B.C. 312, after the victory of Gaza, he
re covered his old satrapy. It was from the autumn of this year that
the era of the Seleucidae was subsequently reckoned. Once re-established
in Babylon, Seleucus embarked on a succession of campaigns which
ultimately left him master of the whole Asiatic empire of Alexander,
from the Aegean to the Indus (B.C. 282). In B.C. 306, following the
example of the other Diadochi, he had assumed the title βασιλευς. The
frequency with which elephants figure on his coins illustrates the drunken jest of Demetrius and his courtiers who dubbed him ελεφανταρχης (Plut.,
Demetr., 25). Regarding the anchor, which he is said to have used also as
his signet, see Justin, xv. 4, and Appian, Syr., 56; and cf. Svoronos, Νομ.
των Πτολ. i. p. ρα', and iv. p. 44, where it is suggested that it may be a
reminiscence of his service as Ptolemys admiral. His most characteristic
device is, however, the head of a horned horse. The horns, which are
probably emblematic of divine strength (cf. Appian, l. c.), reappear on his
own head, on his helmet, and very often on the heads of the elephants.
For anonymous coins attributed to Seleucus as satrap see under Babylon (infra, p. 816). Prior to B.C. 306 his currency consisted largely of AV and AR with the name and types of Alexander, his issues being some- times distinguished by an anchor as adjunct symbol (Mller, Nos. 1355-9 and 1491-1514). The following remarkable pieces, with Ptolemaic obverse, seem to be connected with his stay in Egypt :AV Double- staters, anonymous, obv. Head of Alexander in elephant-skin, and rev. Nike, with head of horned horse in the field; . ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Similar types or, sometimes, rev. Anchor (Svoronos, Νομ. των Πτολ., Pl. I. 29-35). The corresponding AR bore Alexanders name and types (Mller, No. 1487). Alexandrine types continued to be employed by Seleucus for various denominations, including the obol (N. C., 1900, p. 293), down to the very end of his reign; tetradrachms minted at Pergamum cannot be earlier than circ. B.C. 284 (Imhoof, Dyn. von Pergamon, pp. 15 f.). But after B.C. 306 his own name, generally accompanied by ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, was usually (though not invariably) substituted for that of Alexander. Other innovations appeared. On a good many specimens Zeus holds Nike instead of eagle, while on the Dr. and Dr. of one series the figure of Seleucus, wearing horned helmet and mounted on horned horse, replaces the seated Zeus (N. Z., 1895, p. 15). This tendency to modification found more decided expression in completely new types, the Attic weight of Alexander's coinage being maintained. All have inscr. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ. The following were probably the earliest :
Most of the preceding have symbols, monograms, or letters on the rev. They fall naturally into groups, indicating that they were struck over 757
a considerable length of time and at more than one mint. Thus, the
combined evidence of fabric, provenance, and die-position (see Corolla
Num., pp. 184 ff.) shows that not a few are of Bactrian or Indian origin,
notably those with a monogram on the obv. The same is probably true
of others:
In all likelihood the types just described were introduced towards the close of the reign of Seleucus; his successor adopted them. On the other hand, a series with rev. recalling the coinage of Agathocles (p. 181) may have begun after the victory of Ipsus (B.C. 301) : FIG. 332.
The foregoing, which are not distinctively Eastern, seem to represent the Syrian mintage of Seleucus after the transference of his capital to Antioch (cf. N. Z., 1895, p. 17). At the same time they must have been well known beyond the Euphrates, for barbarous imitations come from Baluchistan (see infra under Antiochus I). The remaining AR of Seleucus may have been struck in Central Asia, the head of the horned horse being particularly associated with the East:
The coins are numerous and varied; for details see London, Paris, and Hunter Catalogues. Some of the types resemble those of the AR, but the array of obverses with facing heads is remarkable. Antiochus I (Soter), called βασιλευς in the cuneiform inscriptions of Babylon at least as early as B.C. 289, was associated with his father in the government circ. B.C. 293-281, the provinces beyond the Euphrates being committed to his care. To this period doubtless belong the AR coins with ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ. Antiochus, son of 758
King Seleucus. They are of Bactrian or Indian provenance, and are
either (α) tetradrachms with Alexandrine types (N. C., 1880.
Pl. X. 2) or (β) tetradrachms, drachms, and hemidrachms with types of
Seleucus; obv. Head of Zeus, rev. Athena in elephant-car (N. C., 1879,
Pl. I. 4). The latter are not on the usual Attic standard,[1] but on
a form of the light Phoenician, which we know on other grounds to
have been used in India in early times (N. C., 1906, p. 9). Rare
drachms of class (β) with ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΝ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ
(N. C., 1906, Pl. II. 14) must have been struck after Antiochus actually
became βασιλευς.
It is quite possible that among the many coins inscribed ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ there may be some that were issued by Antiochus I as viceroy of the East; this is notably so with those that have his father's head on the obv. The great majority must, however, have been struck during his own tenure of the supreme power, B.C. 281-261. All are of Attic weight. Alexandrine types are found both on AV (Hunter Cat., iii, Pl. LXIII. 21) and on AR (tetradrachms, drachms, and hemidrachms). Nor were the characteristic types of Seleucus abandoned, all the coins on which these appear being seemingly of Central Asian origin [2]:
After his death Antiochus I was deified as Αντιοχος Απολλων Σωτηρ (C. I. G., 4458), a circumstance that throws some light on the most noteworthy type he introducedApollo on the omphalos. FIG. 333.
The latter variety of rev. is the one which became conventional, but sometimes Apollo holds two or three arrows, as he does on Fig. 333. Differences of style and fabric prove that coins with this rev. were minted at various widely separated centers. But it is remarkable that
1 The average weight of seven tetradrachms is 212.5 grs., the maximum 214.5. 759
the whole of the AV seems to come from the far East (J. H. S., xxiii. p. 108).
The portraits of Antiochus show him at various ages. On rare tetra-
drachms with ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ he appears as an old man with
sharply-defined features and deep-set eyes (Hunter Cat., iii, Pl. LXIV. 4).
These, and with the same inscr., were issued towards the end of his
reign when he assumed the title Soter in honor of a victory over the
Galatai (Appian, Syr., 65). The following, which has the usual inscr.
and the mint-mark of Cyme in Aeolis, belongs to the same period
(J. H. S., xxvii. p. 147) :
The coinage of Antiochus I, like that of his father, presents many varieties; see London and Paris Catalogues, and, regarding the denominations, Hunter Cat., iii. p. 15. Seleucus, son of Antiochus I, appears as βασιλευς in the cuneiform inscriptions of Babylon from B.C. 275 to 269, when he held the vice- royalty of the East. No coins can be identified with certainty as his; see, however, J. H. S., xxiii. p. 110. Antiochus II (Theos) ruled jointly with Antiochus I, circ. B.C. 266- 261; alone, B.C. 261-246. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ. Wt., Attic. A head formerly supposed to be that of Antiochus Hierax or of Antiochus III is apparently that of Antiochus II (J. H. S., xxiii. Pl. I. 3 and 5). Characteristic likenesses, whose identity is absolutely certain, occur also on the better executed among the following, all struck about the beginning of the reign at Cyme, Myrina, or Phocaea (J. H. S., xxvii. pp. 145 ff.):
Other varieties of portrait attach themselves more or less closely to those already mentioned, while others again have become associated with Antiochus II simply because they obviously do not represent either his father or his grandson. A remarkable AV stater has: obv. Head of Antiochus II, rev. Athena Nikephoros (Babelon, Rois, Pl. VI. 1). But the usual types are :
Regarding the variations of this rev. see Babelon, Rois, p. lxii. On one set of tetradrachms (J. H. S., xxiii. Pls. I and II), struck chiefly at Alexandreia Troas, the kings diadem is winged, a peculiarity which is local, not personal (op. cit., p. 102). On the majority of these, as well as on a certain number of other specimens, the head itself is idealized, perhaps an indication that they were struck after Antiochus was dead; see infra under Antiochus Hierax. All such pieces seem to have been minted in Western Asia Minor (op. cit., p. 116). On the other hand, the 760
whole of the AV with the seated Apollo probably comes from Bactria
(op. cit., p. 108), where, however, if iconography can be trusted, the
peculiarly Eastern type of Seleucus I also survived :
During the reign of Antiochus II Bactria, under Diodotus, revolted against Seleucid rule. Before the revolt the vassal may have placed his own portrait on the obv. of certain AV and AR coins with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Zeus hurling fulmen (B. M. C., Pl. V. 7). At all events, portrait and type are identical with those that afterwards appear on the independent money of Diodotus. For of Antiochus II see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 22 f. Seleucus II (Callinicus, Pogon), B.C. 246-226. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ. Wt., Attic. FIG. 334.
The exceptional attitude here assumed by Apollo may be due to the conventional type having been usurped by Hierax (Six, N. C., 1898, p. 235). For other varieties, particularly of , see Imhoof, Monn. gr., pp. 426 f., and also London, Paris, and Hunter Catalogues. Antiochus Hierax, B.C. 246-227, revolted from his brother Seleucus II, and declared himself king of Asia Minor. It is probable that some of the tetradrachms with rev. Apollo on omphalos, and inscr. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, were really issued by him. The probability is strongest in the case of those that bear an idealized head of his father, Antiochus II, and the mint-marks of cities like Alexandreia Troas, Cyzicus, Lampsacus, and Abydus (J. H. S., xxiii. p. 116). Various attempts to identify his own portrait have also been made (Bunbury, N. C., 1883, p. 83; Babelon, Rois, p. lxxii; Maonald, J. H. S., xxiii. p. 114). Seleucus III (Soter, Keraunos), B.C. 226-223, eldest son of Seleucus II. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ. Wt., Attic. 761
Other varieties of are more doubtfully assigned to this king. Antiochus III (the Great). B.C. 223-187, second son of Seleucus II, regained much of the territory that his predecessors had lost. Owing to the extent of his dominions and the length of his reign, his coins exhibit great differences in style and fabric. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ. Wt., Attic. The usual rev. type is the traditional one :
FIG. 335. The AV octadrachms (Fig. 335), which weigh 528.5 grs. max., were issued at two distinct periods (Hunter Cat., iii. p. 30). A standard portrait is furnished by dated struck in Phoenicia. Many varieties, however, occur on the AR, and identity is sometimes doubtful. On the coins of one well-marked group (cf. Fig. 335) one end of the diadem usually falls forward over the shoulder, while the obv. has a fillet- border. These are probably Syrian (Hunter Cat., iii. p. 31). Others, which show the king with thin, sharp features and elongated neck, are generally classed as Bactrian (N. C., 1883, p. 93, Pl. V. 8 f.). A minority appear to be certainly of Asia Minor (B. M. C., Pl. VIII. 6) or of Phoenicia (Babelon, Rois, Nos. 344 f.). On the following, which are much less common, the portrait sometimes approximates to the Bactrian model :
The types of the are very varied (Babelon, Rois, Pls. X and XI), and the serrated edge is now first met with. Some numismatists recognize the head of Antiochus III on coins struck at various European mints (B. M. C., Pl. XXVIII. 2-4; Babelon, Rois, pp. lxxxii f.). Molon, B.C. 221-220, satrap of Media, revolted from Antiochus and struck with inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΟΛΩΝΟΣ.
Head of Zeus. [B. M. C., Pl. X. 1.] |
Apollo Musegetes. | .85
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Head of Apollo. [B. M. C., Pl. X. 2.] | Nike, crowning name of Molon. .75
|
Head of Achaeus. [Munich: Imhoof, Portrtkpfe, Pl. III. 19.] | Athena Promachos; in field, head of
horse. AV Stater
|
Id. (?). [Babelon, Rois, p. lxxxviii.] | Apollo standing, with arrow. .65
|
Head of Apollo. [B. M. C., Pl. X. 3.] | Eagle, with palm or wreath. .75
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. X. 4.] | Tripod. .45
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XI. 12.] | Head of horse. .4
|
Seleucus IV (Philopator), B.C. 187-175. Inscr, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ. Wt., Attic. The AR coins of this king are tetradrachms and drachms, with rev. Apollo on omphalos. The former fall into two groups, a large one with fillet-border on obv., and a much smaller one with border of dots. Here again, as in the case of his father, a standard portrait is furnished by dated coins of Phoenicia. The ordinary rev. of these is the stern of a galley (Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXVI. 5), but one very rare variety has a lyre and the title ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ. For with serrated edges see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 39 f. Cf. also Babelon, Rois, pp. xci and 64 ff.
Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), B.C. 175-164, a younger son of Antiochus III, seized the throne upon his brothers death. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, either alone or with ΘΕΟΥ (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XII. 5), ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ, or ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ. Wt., Attic. Few of the portraits of this king present a genuine likeness; see Babelon, Rois, p. xciii. For the most part the head is idealized as befits a god incarnate. The occasional appearance of a star above it on the tetradrachms, or of twin stars at the ends of the diadem, also indicates deification, while the diadem itself is often radiate on the smaller AR and usually so on the .[1] The predominance of the fillet-border is even more decided than it had been in the previous reign. Henceforward the border of dots hardly occurs on Seleucid tetradrachms, always excepting those of Phoenician weight, where it is never absent. The traditional Seleucid rev. seems to have been used throughout the reign, being found with all forms of inscr.:
Head of Antiochus IV. [B. M. C., Pl. XI. 1-5.] |
Apollo on omphalos.
AR Tetradr., Dr.,
|
There are other types which never have the simple ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ:
Head of Antiochus IV. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XII. 9 f.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned.
AV Stater, AR Tetradr.,
|
Id. [Op. cit., Pl. XII. 7.] | Aegis (cf. Paus. v. 12. 4). AR Dr.,
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XI. 6.] | Tripod-lebes. AR Diobol
|
Two rare varieties, both probably reproducing statues (cf. Babelon, Rois, pp. xciv ff.), are associated only with the longest inscr. :
1 The radiate diadem also occurs on a very remarkable AR tetradrachm formerly in the O'Hagan Collection (Sale-Cat., Pl. XI, No. 663).
Head of Zeus. [B. M. C., Pl. XI. 9.] | Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm
|
Head of Apollo. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XII. 12.] |
Apollo Musegetes. AR Tetradrachm
|
A notable episode in the reign of Antiochus IV was his invasion of Egypt (B.C. 170-168). With this the following are evidently connected : unique AR drachm (Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXVI. 19) and five denominations of Ptolemaic (Svoronos, Νομ. των Πτολ., Pl. XLVIII. 1-5), all with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, Eagle on thunderbolt; also unique with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Two eagles on thunderbolt (op. cit., Pl. XLVIII. 7).[1] For details as to the ordinary of Antiochus IV see London, Paris, and Hunter Catalogues. The occurrence of value-marks (= 1, 2, or 4 chalkoi) deserves mention; see Imhoof, Z. f. N., iii. pp. 347 ff. Occasionally the mint can be determined by the type. But the most remarkable feature is the inauguration of an extensive system of municipal coinage, with head of king on obv. and city-name on rev. It falls into two classes : (α) With royal name: struck at Gebal (Byblus), Laodiceia in Canaan (Berytus), Sidon, Tyre, and Ascalon. The city-name is usually in Phoenician script, but sometimes in Greek and sometimes also in both. [B. M. C., Pl. XII. 14-16.] (β) Without royal name: struck at Aegeae, Alexandreia ad Issum, Antiocheia ad Sarum (Adana), Hieropolis, and Seleuceia ad Pyramum (Mopsus)all in Cilicia; and also at Hieropolis in Cyrrhestica, Antiocheia ad Daphnen, Antiocheia in Ptolemais (Ace), Tripolis, Antiocheia ad Callirhoen (Edessa), Apameia in Syria, Laodiceia ad Mare, Seleuceia in Pieria, and Antiocheia in Mygdonia (Nisibis, infra, p. 815). [B. M. C., Pl. XIII. 1-8.] A coin of Tripolis has jugate heads of king and queen.
Antiochus V (Eupator), B.C. 164-162, had been made βασιλευς in 170 B.C., when his father set out for Egypt. He was then but three years old, and he may well be the child whose head appears on AR tetra- drachms with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Apollo on omphalos (Six, N. C., 1897, pp. 215 f.; Maonald, J. H. S., xxiii. p. 113). These were formerly attributed to a mythical son of Seleucus II, but seem certainly to belong to the early part of the second century B.C. The ordinary AR of Antiochus consists of Attic tetradrachms and drachms with inscr. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ. Rev. either Apollo on omphalos, or Zeus seated (B. M. C., Pl. XIII. 11-14). For AV octadrachm with the latter type see Friedlaender and von Sallet, Das Knigl. Mnzkab., No. 426. The Berlin Museum likewise possesses a highly interesting AR tetradrachm with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ, Ptolemaic eagle upon thunderbolt. Unfortunately it is plated, so that the standard cannot be determined. But in any event it forms an important link between the money struck by Antiochus IV in Egypt and the systematic issue of Seleucid coins on the Phoenician system, afterwards inaugurated by Alexander I (q. v.). The rare of Antiochus V includes municipal of Gebal (Byblus) and of Tripolis.
1 Is it possible that the very rare AV staters of Antiochus IV form part of the spoils of Egypt? Polybius (xxviii. 17) records that the king presented a gold piece to each of the Greek inhabitants of Naucratis.
Demetrius I (Soter), B.C. 162-150, was the son of Seleucus IV. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, either alone or with ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ. AR tetra- drachms, drachms, diobols, and obols have rev. Apollo on omphalos (B. M. C., Pl. XIV. 3 and 5). But novel types are more common:
Head of Demetrius I. [B. M. C., Pl. XIV. 1 f.; cf. Imhoof, Monn. gr., p. 432.] | Tyche enthroned, holding sceptre and
cornucopia. AR Tetradrachm, Drachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIV. 4.] | Cornucopia. AR Drachm
|
There are other changes. The fillet-border on the obv. is often replaced by a laurel-wreath, while dates (hitherto confined to Phoenician ) become frequent. The monograms on the rev. also lend themselves more readily to interpretation as mint-marks, although some of the attributions made on this basis are doubtful. Barbarous imitations of the drachm with rev. Cornucopia are fairly numerous. The weight of the AR is Attic, but there are very rare AV coins (Babelon, Rois, p. cxx, Pl. XVII. 1), with obv. Tyche enthroned and rev. Ptolemaic double cornucopia, struck on a different standard, perhaps the Phoenician. Besides municipal of Tyre and of Sidon (B. M. C., Pl. XIV. 6-8), there are several varieties of ordinary . Conspicuous among these are some with heads of animals (B. M. C., Pl. XIV. 12-15); the king was a mighty hunter (Polybius, xxxi. 22. 3).
Demetrius married his sister Laodice, widow of Perseus of Macedon, and the heads of king and queen appear jugate on AR tetradrachms with rev. Tyche enthroned (B. M. C., Pl. XV. 1 f.); also on with rev. Nike (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XVII. 7).
Timarchus, B.C. 162, satrap of Babylon, declined to acknowledge Demetrius, and issued coins in his own name. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΤΙΜΑΡΧΟΥ, an Oriental form of title, used at this time in Parthia and also by Eucratides of Bactria, from whose coins the types of the tetradrachm are borrowed (see infra, p. 839). Wt., Attic.
Head of Timarchus. [Babelon, Rois, p. cxv.] |
Nike in galloping quadriga. AV Stater
|
Helmeted bust. [E. F. Weber, Sale-Cat., Pl. LIII, No. 4078.] | The Dioskuri charging. AR Tetradrachm |
Head of Timarchus. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVIII. 6.] | Artemis, with bow and arrow.
AR Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XV. 3.] | Nike, with wreath and palm. 1.35
|
Alexander I (Bala), B.C. 150-145, was a usurper who professed to be the son of Antiochus IV. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, either alone or with ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ, ΕΥΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ (Hunter Cat. iii. p. 61, note), or ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XVIII. 8), all reminiscent of his pretended parentage. One series is very complete :
Head of Alexander I. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XVII. 9 f.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned.
AV Stater, AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XVI. 2.] | Apollo on omphalos. AR Drachm
|
Id., radiate. [B. M. C., Pl. XVI. 3.] | Apollo standing. AR Dr.
|
Id.; no rays. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XVII. 13.] |
Tripod. AR Diobol
|
Head of Alexander I. [B. M. C., Pl. XV. 6.] |
Zeus enthroned, holding fulmen (Sidon).
AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XV. 5.] | Athena Nikephoros standing.
AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XVII. 8.] | Tyche Nikephoros seated. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Imhoof, Monn. gr., p. 433.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
Head of Zeus. [B. M. C., Pl. XVI. 1.] | Thunderbolt within wreath (Seleuceia in
Pieria). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Many of the preceding are dated. All are of Attic weight. But the reign of Alexander witnessed a fresh departurethe systematic striking,
For details as to the abundant and varied of Alexander I see London, Paris, and Hunter Catalogues. Many pieces have the serrated edge. A few are dated, and some have value-marks. Of special interest is the revival of the municipal coinage inaugurated by Antiochus IV (q. v.). Thus, coins of class (α) were struck at Berytus, Gebal (Byblus),
1 Coincidences of date and mint-mark in this and subsequent reigns show they were not intended to supersede the AR of Attic weight. Both kinds of money were issued simultaneously at the same cities. Except on the coins of Tryphon (q.v.) the dates are reckoned from the Seleucid era.
2 That the title was nevertheless meant to be read first is clear from the coins of Cleopatra and Antiochus VIII, and also from those of Tryphon.
Demetrius II (Nicator), B.C. 146-140 (first reign), son of Demetrius I, seized the kingdom with the aid of Ptolemy, who had quarrelled with Alexander and who now transferred Cleopatra to the new ruler. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, either alone or with ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, ΘΕΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, ΘΕΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ, or ΘΕΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ. For AV double-stater of Phoeni- cian weight, rev. Anchor, said to be of Persian provenance, see Walcher de Molthein, Cat., Pl. XXVII, No. 2979. AR of Phoenician weight, rev. Eagle, were struck at Berytus, Sidon, and Tyre. The types of the Attic AR are very various. The following apparently form a series :
Head of Demetrius II. [B. M. C., Pl. XVII. 8, 11.] |
Apollo on omphalos.
AR Tetradr., Dr., Obol
|
Id. [Imhoof, Monn. gr., p. 435.] | Apollo standing. AR Dr.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XIX. 5.] | Ear of corn on stalk. AR Diobol
|
A very rare variety of the tetradrachm (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XIX. 16) has a laurel-wreath in place of the usual fillet-border on the obv., a reminis- cence of the coinage of Demetrius I (q. v.). This is also recalled by the rare tetradrachm with rev. Tyche enthroned (B. M. C., Pl. XVIII. 2), to which belongs a drachm with rev. Zeus enthroned (ibid., 3). Other rev. types areon tetradrachms (ibid., 1, 11, and 12): Athena Magarsis (Mallus), Zeus Nikephoros enthroned, Athena Nikephoros standing; and on drachms (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XIX. 4 and 6): Cornucopiae and Anchor. The coins (not always easily distinguished from those of the second reign) are numerous, and include municipal of Berytus and of Tyre; see London and Hunter Catalogues.
The footing of Demetrius had never been other than precarious. Ulti- mately he withdrew to Babylon, and was made prisoner in a war with the Parthians.
Antiochus VI (Dionysos), B.C. 145-142, son of Alexander I, was set upon the throne, when a child of seven, by Tryphon, his fathers minister. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, seldom with ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, usually with ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΔΙΟΝΥΣΟΥ. Wt., Attic. There are very rare AR tetra- drachms of B.C. 145 with rev. Zeus Nikephoros enthroned (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XX. 6). But his ordinary issues do not begin until the next year, when he assumed the title Διονυσος :
Head of Antiochus VI, radiate (Fig. 337). | The Dioskuri, within wreath; dates.
AR Tetradrachm. |
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIX. 7.] | Helmet with ibex-horn; no dates.
AR Dr.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIX. 3.] | Apollo on omphalos; dates. AR Dr.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIX. 4.] | Apollo standing. AR Dr.[1]
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIX. 5.] | Panther. AR Dr.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIX. 6.] | Thyrsos. AR Diobol
|
The use of the wreath on the rev. of these tetradrachms is an early example of a practice that subsequently became common. They all bear the letters ΤΡΥ, which also appear regularly on the undated drachms. During B.C. 144 ΤΡΥ, which obviously represents Tryphon, is accompanied only by single letters and monograms, which are apparently mint-marks. Thereafter ΣΤΑ is added beneath ΤΡΥ on the larger denomination. Simultaneously it begins to be placed on the dated drachms (on which ΤΡΥ never occurs), while it is also very prominent on the smaller AR with Dionysiac types (undated) and on the . But there are tetradrachms of B.C. 142 struck from a die from which this name has been erased (Regling, Z. f. N., xxiv. p. 135). The inference is that ΣΤΑ was an important minister who fell from power abruptly. For , often with Dionysiac types, see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 74 ff.
Tryphon (Diodotus), B.C. 142-139, killed his ward and declared himself βασιλευς αυτοκρατωρ, a remarkable title, the importance of which is shown by the fact that it is written in full on the Phoenician AR (see supra, p. 765). Tryphons abandonment of the Seleucid era for dates is also significant. His best-known coins are AR Attic tetradrachms and drachms, and , all having rev. Helmet with ibex-horn (B. M. C., Pl. XX. 1-3). AR Phoenician tetradrachms were struck at Byblus, Ptolemais, and Ascalon: rev. Eagle, with regnal dates (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXI. 4 f.). There are also of Ascalon (ibid., 6). Inscr., always ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΡΥΦΩΝΟΣ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ.
Antiochus VII (Sidetes), B.C. 138-129, younger brother of Demetrius, overthrew Tryphon and married Cleopatra. Inscription, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟ- ΧΟΥ, either alone or with ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ. Phoenician AR was struck at Sidon and at Tyre (B. M. C., Pl. XX. 4); rev. Eagle. The types of the Attic AR are as follows :
Head of Antiochus VII. [B. M. C., Pl. XX. 6.] |
Athena Nikephoros standing (Tyre, &c.)
AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XX. 7.] | Nike (Tyre, &c.). AR Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVIII. 8.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Hirsch, Auct. Cat. xiii, No. 4467.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
Id. [Petrowicz Coll.] | Athena Magarsis (Mallus). AR Drachm
|
Id. [Brit. Mus.] | Tyche seated. AR Drachm
|
The is interesting and includes some new types, e.g. obv. Bust of Eros and rev. Head-dress of Isis, as well as municipal of Seleuceia in
1 These hemidrachms read simply ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ.
Demetrius II (Nicator), B.C. 129-125 (second reign), was liberated by the Parthian king in order to make trouble for Antiochus. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, either alone or with ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, ΘΕΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, or ΘΕΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ. Phoenician AR, rev. Eagle, was struck at Ptolemais, Sidon, and Tyre. The Attic AR was of several varieties :
Head of Demetrius II, bearded. | Zeus Nikephoros enthroned (Fig. 338)
AR Tetradrachm., Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXI. 5.] | Athena Magarsis (Mallus). AR Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXI. 6.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXI. 7.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
Id. [Berlin.] | Thunderbolt within wreath (Seleuceia
in Pieria). AR Dr.
|
With rare exceptions (N. C., 1883, Pl. VI. 7) the coins of Phoenician weight retain the beardless portrait of Demetrius which they had borne during his first reign. On all others belonging to the second reign he is represented with a beard. If he began to grow his beard after his return, as is perhaps indicated by N. C., 1883, Pl. VI. 4, then the earliest of his new Attic tetradrachms had rev. Apollo on omphalos (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XIX. 15). But for the most part this once familiar type figures only on the of his second reign: see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 87 ff., where other types of are recorded, the most interesting being that with a figure in Parthian dress (op. cit., Pl. LXVII. 22). There are municipal coins of Sidon and Tyre, the former without the royal name.
Alexander II (Zebina), B.C. 128-123, was set up by Ptolemy Physcon as a rival to Demetrius. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ. On the unique AV stater in the British Museum, rev. Zeus Nikephoros enthroned, he adds ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ, a reminder that he claimed to have been adopted by Alexander I, the pretended son of Epiphanes. This piece is perhaps to be connected with the kings plundering of the golden Nike held by the statue of Zeus at Antioch (Wroth, N. C., 1897, p. 115 [citing Pl. V. 8]). Phoenician AR, rev. Eagle, was struck at Ascalon (Babelon, Rois, p. cl). But the great mass of the AR is Attic:
Head of Alexander II. [B. M. C., Pl. XXII. 2.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXII. 3.] | Double cornucopia. AR Drachm
|
Id. Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXIX. 9.] | Single cornucopia. AR Dr.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXII. 5.] | Nike. AR Dr.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXIII. 8.] | Anchor. AR Diobol
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXII. 4.] | Athena Nikephoros standing.
AR Drachm
|
Id. [Petrowicz Coll.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXIII. 6.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
The includes municipal of Berytus (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXIII. 17). For numerous ordinary varieties see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 93 ff.
Cleopatra, B.C. 125-121, was successively the wife of Alexander Bala, of Demetrius Nicator, and of Antiochus Sidetes. The eldest of her sons by Demetrius assumed the diadem as Seleucus V upon his fathers death. His mother straightway had him murdered, and took the supreme power into her own hands. The British Museum possesses an AR tetradrachm of Attic weight, dated ΖΠΡ (= B.C. 125), and reading ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣ ΘΕΑΣ ΕΥΕΤΗΡΙΑΣ. The rev. type is Egyptian:
Head of Cleopatra (Fig. 339). | Double cornucopia, filleted. |
The queen soon associated with her in the government a younger son of Demetrius, Antiochus VIII (Grypus). Their jugate heads appear on Phoenician AR struck at Sidon: rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Eagle. Inscr. on their Attic AR, ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣ (ΘΕΑΣ) ΚΑΙ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ[1]:
Heads jugate of Cleopatra and Antiochus VIII [B. M. C., Pl. XXIII. 3.] | Zeus Nikephoros enthroned (Sidon, &c.)
AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [N. C., 1900, Pl. I. 14.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradrachm.
|
For with the joint names see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 97 ff.
Antiochus VIII (Grypus), B.C. 121-96, finally compelled his mother to drink poison which she had prepared for himself. His nickname is
1 ΘΕΑΣ is usually omitted on the , and occasionally on the AR. A few of the tetradrachms have a border of dots, instead of a fillet-border, on the obv. The group so formed stands alone in the later coinage of the Seleucidae (see supra, p. 762).
Head of Antiochus VIII [B. M. C., Pl. XXIV. 1.] | Zeus Ouranios standing (Sidon, &c.)
AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXIV. 2.] | Athena Nikephoros standing (Seleuceia
ad Calycadnum, &c.). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXIV. 3.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXV. 6.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
Id. [Petrowicz Coll.] | Tyche standing (Tripolis). AR Drachm
|
Head of Antiochus VIII (Fig. 340). | Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVI. 4.] | Tripod. AR Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XX. 8, and XXVI. 5.] | Nike. AR Dr.
|
Id. [Imhoof, Mon. gr., p. 436.] | Ear of corn on stalk. AR Diobol
|
The coins are numerous, but none of the types are noteworthy. One group, however, is remarkable for the inscr. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟ- ΧΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΜΗΤΟΡΟΣ (Hunter Cat., iii. p. 103). There are of Sidon without the royal name (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXIV. 16.).
Antiochus IX (Cyzicenus), B.C. 114-95, son of Antiochus VII and Cleopatra, after a struggle divided the kingdom with his half-brother Grypus (B.C. 111), taking as his share Coele-Syria and Phoenicia. His Phoenician AR, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Eagle, is fairly common (Sidon, Ascalon, &c.). But he was the last Seleucid king to strike coins of this class. The title ΦΙΛΟΠΛΤΟΡΟΣ is used on his Attic AR, the obol having ΒΑ ΑΝ ΦΙ:
Head of Antiochus IX (Fig. 341). | Athena Nikephoros standing (Sidon, &c.)
AR Tetradr.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVI. 11.] | Nike. AR Dr.
|
Id. [Petrowicz Coll.] | Ear of corn on stalk. AR Diobol
|
Id. [Petrowicz Coll.] | Athena Nikephoros standing. AR Obol
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXV. 1.] | Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradr.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVI. 5 f.] | Tyche standing (Tripolis). AR Tetr., Dr.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVI. 12.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradr.
|
Id. [Ibid., 13.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
For of various types see London, Paris, and Hunter Catalogues.
Seleucus VI (Epiphanes Nicator), B.C. 96-95, succeeded his father Grypus, and renewed the war with Cyzicenus. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, with occasional omission of ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ For see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 109 f. His AR coins (Attic weight) are:
Head of Seleucus VI. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVIII. 11.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVII. 3.] | Nike. AR Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXV. 13.] | Double cornucopia. AR Dr.
|
Id. Imhoof, Monn. gr., p. 437.] | Ear of corn on stalk. AR Diobol
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXV. 12; cf. Im- hoof, Kl. M., ii. p. 482.] | Athena Nikephoros standing (Seleuceia
ad Calycadnum). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Antiochus X (Eusebes Philopator), B.C. 95-83, son of Cyzicenus, spent his reign in warfare first with Seleucus VI, and then with the other sons of Grypus. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΟ- ΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ. Wt., Attic.
Head of Antiochus X. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVI. 1.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm |
Id. [Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXX. 12.] | Tyche standing (Tripolis). AR Drachm
|
Id. [Berlin.] | Nike standing. AR Dr.
|
Antiochus XI (Philadelphus), B.C. 92, second or third son of Grypus, struck AR Attic tetradrachms with rev. Zeus Nikephoros enthroned; also with rev. Athena Nikephoros standing: see Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVII. 11 f. Inscr. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ, ΕΠΙ- ΦΑΝΟΥΣ being usually omitted on the AR. Other coins sometimes attributed to this king belong more probably to his father (op. cit., p. clxvii). But there are very rare tetradrachms (Attic) which show his head jugate with that of his brother Philippus: rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ, Zeus Nikephoros enthroned (op. cit., Pl. XXVII. 13).
Philippus (Philadelphus), B.C. 92-83, another son of Grypus, struck AR Attic tetradrachms with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ, Zeus Nikephoros enthroned (B. M. C., Pl. XXIV. 9). Some are dated from an era beginning in B.C. 111, when Grypus re- turned from exile in Aspendus, and divided the kingdom with Cyzicenus (cf. Wilcken, Hermes, xxix. pp. 436 ff.).
Demetrius III (Philopator), B.C. 95-88, fourth son of Grypus, also took the field against Antiochus X, and proclaimed himself king. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, with either ΘΕΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΣΩ- ΤΗΡΟΣ or ΦΙΛΟΜΗΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΚΑΛΛΙΝΙΚΟΥ. Wt., Attic.
Head of Demetrius III. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVIII. 4.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm |
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVI. 10.] | Archaic simulacrum of Asiatic goddess,
facing. AR Tetradrachm |
The last type probably represents Atargatis (Dea Syra) of Damascus: see Rev. archol., 1904, p. 250. This city was the capital of Demetrius. It seems to have temporarily borne the name of Demetrias (Wroth, B. M. C., Galatia, pp. lxxv f.), and to have issued municipal : obv. Head of Demetrius III, and rev. ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ. For this and ordinary see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 114 f.
Antiochus XII (Dionysos), circ. B.C. 87-84, the youngest of the five sons of Grypus, aspired to succeed Demetrius III as king of Coele-Syria. His very rare AR Attic tetradrachms have rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΚΑΛΛΙΝΙΚΟΥ, Bearded divinity standing, facing, on a base between two recumbent bulls (N. Z., 1902, Pl. I. 3, 4). This is probably Hadad of Damascus (see Journ. Asiat., 1904, p. 200). Antiochus, too, made Damascus his capital, and his head appears on municipal of Demetrias (cf. Demetrius III, supra), for which, as well as for other varieties of , see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 115 ff.
Tigranes, B.C. 83-69, King of Armenia (B.C. 97-56), was invited to put an end to the internecine strife in Syria. This he did, and ruled the country peaceably till his defeat by Lucullus. His coins, Attic AR and , fall into three classes (N. C., 1902, pp. 193 ff.):
Head of Tigranes, wearing lofty Armenian tiara (Fig. 342). | Tyche of Antioch seated; river-god
swimming at her feet. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVII. 9; Babelon, Pl. XXIX. 13.] | Nike, or Palm. .7-.6
|
Head of Tigranes as above; less good work. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXIX. 15.] | Tyche with river-god, as above; less
good work. AR Tetradrachm, Dr.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVII. 10 f.] | Id., or Herakles standing. 1-.7
|
Head of Tigranes as above; poor work. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVII. 5.] |
Tyche with river-god, as above, but l.;
poor work. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVII. 7; Babelon, Pl. XXIX. 14.] | Id., or Tyche standing. .9-.55
|
The rev. of Fig. 342 represents the famous statue of the Tyche of Antioch by Eutychides of Sicyon (Paus. vi. 2). The corresponding type on coins of class (iii) is rather the Tyche of Damascus; cf. the Imperial coins of that city and also those of Aretas III.
(β) Autonomous and Imperial of Syria, Phoenicia, etc.
[Wroth, B. M. C., Galatia, Cappadocia, Syria.
Babelon, Perses Achmnides.
De Saulcy, Numismatique de la Terre-Sainte.]
The coinage of the whole region between the Euphrates and the sea may be described by dividing it into districts in the order which Eckhel adopted:
I. Commagene. | VII. Trachonitis. |
II. Cyrrhestica. | VIII. Decapolis. |
III. Chalcidice. | IX. Phoenicia. |
IV. Palmyrene. | X. Galilaea. |
V. Seleucis and Pieria. | XI. Samaria. |
VI. Coele-Syria. | XII. Judaea. |
Throughout the whole of this vast extent of territory, bounded on the north by offshoots of the Taurus, on the north-east by the Euphrates, and on the east and south by the deserts of Arabia, the royal gold coinage of Persia probably passed current down to the age of Alexander the Great. In the latter half of the fifth century the Persian gold coinage was supplemented by the substantial silver money of the wealthy Phoenician cities of the sea-coast, governed for the most part by their own kings, who seem to have been more or less independent of the King of Persia. The coinage of these towns, Tyre, Sidon, and Byblus, inscribed with Phoenician characters, is regulated according to the standard, hence called Phoenician, of about 56 grs. to the drachm, or 224 grs. to the shekel. Aradus, on the other hand, the most northern town on the Phoenician coast, accommodated her money to the standard which prevailed in Cyprus and Cilicia, striking shekels of about 168 grs. equivalent to three-quarters of the Tyrian and Sidonian shekel.
On the Macedonian conquest all the old coinages, both Persian and Phoenician, were abolished, except at Tyre, and mints were set up by Alexander or his immediate successors at all the chief coast-towns of Phoenicia and Palestine, viz. Marathus, Aradus, Sidon, Tyre, Ace, Joppa, Ascalon, and Gaza, as well as at some of the chief cities of the interior. This Alexandrine coinage lasted down to about B.C. 266, when Ptolemy Philadelphus, who had obtained possession of Phoenicia, established mints of his own at the chief cities along the coasts of Palestine and
Samos, circ. B.C. 140-130 (?).
Head of king, diademed and radiate. [Babelon, p. 217, Pl. XXX. 1.] |
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΑΜΟΥ ΘΕΟΣΕΒΟΥΣ
ΚΑΙ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ in ex. ΓΛ Nike advancing. [Hunter]. .6
|
Head of king in pointed head-dress. [Hunter Cat., Pl. LXX. 20.] |
Same inscription. Thyrsos between two
interlaced cornucopias. .85
|
Mithradates I (Callinicus), circ. B.C. 96. Son of Samos.
Head of king in pointed head-dress. [B. M. C., p. 104; Babelon, Pl. XXX. 2.] |
ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ ΚΑΛΛΙ-
ΝΙΚΟΥ Athena standing, holding
Nike. .85
|
Eagle with palm. [Babelon, p. 217, No. 4.] |
Same inscription. Caduceus. [Paris]
.7
|
Eagle with palm. [Babelon, p. 218, No. 5.] |
Same inscription. Palm. [Paris]. .6
|
Mithradates Philhellen Philoromaios, circ. B.C. 92 (?). Son of Mithradates I Callinicus (?).
Head of king in pointed head-dress. | ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩ(ς) ΜΙΘΡΙΔ ΦΙΛΟ[ρω- μαιου ?]. Club. Size .7. [Brit. Mus.; Berlin.] |
(On the attribution see Reinach, L'hist. par les monn., p. 244; the
Antiochus I (Theos), circ. B.C. 69-38 (or 31 ?). Son of Mithradates Callinicus by Laodice Thea Philadelphus, daughter of Antiochus VIII, Grypus, of Syria. Antiochus I struck the following bronze coin :
Bust of king in Armenian tiara on which star between two eagles (cf. tiara of Tigranes). | ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Lion walking. .8
|
On a height of Mount Taurus, now the tumulus of Nemroud Dagh, Antiochus established a sacred precinct and royal mausoleum (B. M. C., p. xliv). On the Nemroud Dagh reliefs he wears an Armenian tiara ornamented with a lion. Another relief shows a star-spangled lion, Antiochus having been born under the zodiacal sign of the Lion.
The successor of Antiochus I was a king, probably his son, named Mithradates, circ. B.C. 31. Reinach (p. 245) supposes the following bronze at Berlin and Paris (Invent. Wadd., p. 447) to have been issued by Antiochus I and Mithradates in conjunction:obv. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] ΑΝ- ΤΙΟΧΟΥ Bust of Antiochus in tiara, rev. ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑ[ΤΟΥ] Humped bull, rushing.
Two or three kings followed Mithradates in rapid succession. In B.C. 20 Augustus placed upon the throne another Mithradates,[1] who was succeeded by his son (or brother) Antiochus III. On the death of this Antiochus in A.D. 17, Commagene became a Roman province, but in 38 Caligula restored the kingdom for the benefit of his friend Antiochus IV, son of Antiochus III.
Antiochus IV of Commagene (Epiphanes), A.D. 38-72. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΜΕΓ[ΑΣ] ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑ[ΝΗΣ]; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΣ; ΒΑ- ΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΣ.
Head of king diademed. | ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Scorpion within
laurel-wreath. 1.1
|
Id. | ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Capricorn within
laurel-wreath. .9
|
Id. | ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Two cornucopias.
.8
|
The Scorpion was the zodiacal sign under which Commagene stood. Cilicia formed part of the kingdom of this ruler, who issued money at Anemurium, Celenderis, Corycus, Sebaste, Lacanatis, and Cetis. He also struck coins in Lycaonia (B. M. C., p. xlvi, p. 108).
ΒΑΙCΙΛΙCCΑ ΙΩΤΑΠΗ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛ- ΦΟC Bust of Iotape. | ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Scorpion. 1.15
|
1 Reinach (p. 246) attributes doubtfully to this king inscribed ΒΑ(σιλεως) ΜΕ(γαλου) Μ(ιθραδατου) ΤΟΥ Μ(ιθραδατου); type, Crab; cf. Babelon, Rois de Syrie, p. ccxii.
Epiphanes and Callinicus, sons of Antiochus IV and Iotape, struck bronze coins in Commagene, Selinus, Lacanatis, and Lycaonia (B. M. C., p. xlviii).
ΒΑCΙΛЄΩC ΥΙΟΙ Epiphanes and Callinicus on horseback. | ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Capricorn. .8
|
ΒΑCΙΛЄΩC ΥΙΟΙ Anchor between two crossed cornucopias, each containing a youthful head (Epiphanes and Callinicus). | Armenian tiara,
ornamented with scorpion: laurel-
wreath. .8
|
ΒΑCΙΛЄΥC ΜЄΓΑC ЄΠΙΦΑΝΗC Head of Epiphanes. CЄΛΙ (Selinus). | ΒΑCΙΛЄΥC ΜЄΓΑC ΚΑΛΛΙΝΙΚΟC
Head of Callinicus. Paris.
[Cf. B. M. C., p. xlvii.] .9
|
Commagene in genere. Bronze coins of first century A.D. (? circ. A.D. 41, Rev. des tudes gr., 1899, p. 402), struck probably at Samosata (B. M. C., p. xlviii): Capricorn, rev. Scorpion. Capricorn, rev. ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Armenian tiara. ΠΙΣΤΙΣ, Two hands clasped holding caduceus, rev. ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ, Anchor.
Antiocheia ad Euphratem (Pliny v. 24). Imperial of M. Aurelius and L. Verus, rev. ΑΝΤΙΟΧЄΩΝ ΠΡΟC ЄΥΦΡΑΤΗΝ, Bust of Athena (B. M. C., p. xlix).
Doliche (Duluk). Imperial of M. Aurelius, L. Verus, and Commodus, rev. ΔΟΛΙΧΑΙΩΝ within wreath.
Germanicia Caesareia (Marash). Imperial, M. Aurelius to Commodus. Inscr., ΚΑΙCΑΡ. ΓЄΡΜΑΝΙΚЄWΝ ΚΟ; ΚΑΙC. ΓЄΡΜΑ. ΚΟΜ. Types City seated, with river-god swimming at her feet; Inscr. in laurel-wreath. (Contrast the coins of Caesareia Germanica in Bithynia.)
Samosata (Samsat), on the Euphrates, the capital of the kings of Commagene. Autonomous bronze of the period of the Commagenian kings (Antiochus I-IV). Inscr., CΑΜΟCΑΤW; CΑΜΟCΑΤΩ ΠΟΛΕΩC. TypesZeus; Lion; City seated on rock; Eagle. Imperial, Hadrian to Philip jun. Inscr., ΦΛΑ. CΑΜΟ. ΜΗΤΡΟ. ΚΟΜ. (i.e. Flavia Samosata Metropolis Commagenes); Φ. CΑΜΟC. ΙЄΡ. ΑCΥ. ΑΥΤΟΝΟ. ΜΗΤΡ. ΚΟΜ.; CΑΜΟCΑΤЄΩΝ. Usual typeCity seated; at her feet, river-god Euphrates or running Pegasos. Era dates from autumn of A.D. 71 (B. M. C., p. 117 n.).
Zeugma, on the right bank of the Euphrates, opposite Apameia (Birejik), both cities founded by Seleucus I and connected by a bridge of boats. Imperial, Trajan to Philip jun. Inscr., ΖЄΥΓΜΑΤЄΩΝ. TypesTetrastyle temple with peribolos encircling the sacred grove (B. M. C., p. li), sometimes with capricorn in ex.; Inscr. in laurel-wreath.
Beroea, now Aleppo (Haleb). Imperial bronze with or without heads of Emperors, Trajan to Antoninus Pius. Rev. ΒЄΡΟΙΑΙWΝ within wreath. Also AR of Macrinus, rev. Eagle (Antioch type), ΒΕ and fantastic bird. (B. M. C., Galatia, &c., p. 132.)
Cyrrhus. Regal bronze of Alexander I, Bala, of Syria (q. v.). Inscr., ΚΥΡΡΗCΤΩΝ, rev. Zeus standing with wreath, also rev. Athena standing holding Nike (B. M. C., p. lii). Imperial, Trajan to Philip jun. Inscr., ΚΥΡΡΗCΤΩΝ, rev. ΔΙΟC ΚΑΤΑΙΒΑΤΟΥ (or ΚΑΤЄΒΑΤΟΥ), Zeus Kataibates seated on rock holding his thunderbolt and sceptre, before him, eagle. Also Temple containing his statue. This Zeus had altars at Olympia, Athens, &c.; rocks and places struck by lightning were regarded as sacred to him (B. M. C., p. lii). Also rev. Inscr. in laurel-wreath. On some later coins, symbol, ram.
Hieropolis (Membij). The ancient name Bambyce was changed to
Hieropolis by Seleucus Nicator, who built a new temple for Atargatis
(Astarte), the great goddess of the city (cf. the treatise De dea Syria).
The following Attic didrachms with Aramaic inscriptions have been
attributed (B. M. C., Galat., p. liii) to Bambyce :(α) Coins of the
sacerdotal dynasty of Abd-Hadad, circ. B.C. 332: Bust of Atargatis, rev.
inscr., Abd-Hadad, King and driver in chariot; Bust of Atargatis
(with name inscribed), rev. Abd-Hadad, Abd-Hadad standing in temple.
(β) Coins with name Alexander [the Great ?]. TypesBust of Atargatis, rev. Lion devouring bull; Bust of Atargatis facing, rev. King and
driver in chariot; Baal enthroned, rev. Atargatis riding on lion;
Warrior on horse, rev. Lion walking, in front, bird perched on flower.
In the second century B.C. there are bronze coins of Antiochus IV
of Syria (q. v.), rev. ΙЄΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, Zeus standing holding wreath.
Quasi-autonomous and Imperial, Trajan to Philip jun. Inscr., ΙЄΡΟ-
ΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ. Types (often accompanied by ΘЄΑC CΥΡΙΑC)Atargatis
riding on lion or enthroned between two lions; Temple, within which,
Roman standard, on one side of the temple, Baal Kevan seated between
two oxen, on the other, Atargatis seated between two lions, inscr., ΘЄΟΙ
CΥΡΙΑC (Imhoof, Gr. M., p. 759, No. 773, cf. No. 772). Also silver
(Antioch class) of Domna, Caracalla (symbol, lion), Macrinus (symbol, lion),
and Diadumenian. Also bronze of Imperial times dated from Seleucid
Era. The inscr. ΘЄΑC CΥΡΙΑC, which frequently appears within a laurel-
wreath and without any type, probably indicates the Festival in
connexion with which the coins bearing it were issued.
Chalcis (Kinnesrin), near Beroea (Aleppo). ImperialTrajan to
L. Verus. Inscr., ΦΛ. ΧΑΛΚΙΔЄWΝ. TypesLaurel-wreath; Standing
figure radiate holding palm-branch, spear, and shield, with inscr. ΗΛΙΟ-
CЄΙΡΟC, Hunter Cat., Pl. LXXI. 27. Date ΚЄ (25) on coins of Trajan
and of Hadrian = A.D. 117, from era beginning A.D. 92.
Palmyra struck small bronze coins without the names or heads of
Emperors. These were probably issued from the first century A.D.
till the time of Sept. Severus and his family. Inscr., when present, ΠΑΛ-
ΜVΡΑ. TypesPalm-tree; Bearded male head in modius, radiate = the
Malachbelos of Palmyra (?); Female figure (Atargatis ?) on lion; Lion
and crescent; Head of Tyche of Palmyra; and other types described by
De Saulcy (see B. M. C., Galat., pp. lvi-lviii). For coins with the heads
of Zenobia and Vaballathus see infra, Egypt under the Romans.
Tetrapolis of Seleucis. The four cities of Antiocheia, Seleuceia,
Apameia, and Laodiceia, all founded by Seleucus I, used a joint bronze
coinage during part of the second century B.C., beginning B.C. 149.
Inscr., ΑΔΕΛΦΩΝ ΔΗΜΩΝ (cf. Strabo, xvi, p. 749 αιπερ και ελεγοντο
αλληλων αδελφαι δια την ομονοιαν). TypesHead of Zeus, rev. Fulmen;
Head of Apollo, rev. Tripod; Bearded heads (? Demoi of Antiocheia and
Seleuceia), rev. Tyche crowning the inscription, or rev. Zeus seated. Dates
according to the Seleucid Era. Mint, apparently Seleuceia (Hunter
Cat., iii. p. 141).
Antiocheia ad Orontem, on the right bank of the Orontes, about
twenty miles from its mouth, was the capital of the Seleucid Empire,
and one of the most splendid cities of the ancient world. It was
a mint-place for the regal coinage of the kings from the time of
Antiochus IV or earlier. In the second century B.C. it shared in the
Tetrapolis coinage (see above), and during the first century B.C. issued
bronze coins dated according to (i) the Seleucid Era, B.C. 312, (ii) the
Caesarian (autumn, B.C. 49), or, possibly, the Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Inscr., ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩΣ, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΜΗ-
ΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ
ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ, &c. Typesobv. Head of Zeus,
or of Tyche of Antioch; rev. Zeus seated holding Nike; Tripod; Tyche
standing with rudder; Poppy-head with ears of corn. There are silver
coins (weight 240-200 grs.) of M. Antonius and Cleopatra, with portrait-
heads: Cleopatra, ΒΑCΙΛΙCCΑ ΚΛЄΟΠΑΤΡΑ ΘЄΑ ΝЄWΤЄΡΑ, wears
I. SILVER. Tetradrachms weighing at first 236 to 220 grains. From
the time of Caracalla the silver deteriorates, weight 220 to 200 grains
or less. Didrachms and drachms under Nero. The tetradrachm was
tariffed as equivalent to three Roman denarii (B. M. C., Galat.,
p. lxiii). Usual inscr., ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞ (or ЄΞΟΥCΙΑC) ΥΠΑΤΟC ΤΟ Β
(Γ, Δ, &c.)=Trib. Pot. Cos. ii (iii, iv, &c.). Coins of Augustus have
ΕΤΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΣ, with dates of the Era of Actium, B.C. 31; also
ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩΣ, with double dates of the Actian and
Caesarian Eras (B.C. 31 and B.C. 49). ΕΤΟΥΣ ΝΕΟΥ ΙΕΡΟΥ occurs,
Galba to Nerva (Pick, Z. f. N., xiv. 331). On coins of Geta, VΠΑΤΟC
ΑΠΟΔЄΔЄΙΓμενοσ=Consul designatus. On coins of the Philips, MONeta
VRBica or ΑΝΤΙΟΧΙΑ are found. Usual type, Eagle. The type of
the Tyche of Antioch seated on a rock with the river-god Orontes
swimming at her feet (Fig. 343) occurs under Augustus and in some
later reigns. It is found still earlier on the AR of Tigranes, q. v.
These coins reproduce the group of Tyche and Orontes made by
Eutychides of Sicyon, a pupil of Lysippus, and set up at Antioch
soon after the foundation of the city by Seleucus I in B.C. 300. The
marble statue in the Vatican is one of the best reproductions of this
group (B. M. C., Galat., pp. lxi f.).
II. BRONZE. (α) Without heads of emperors. First and second
century A.D., some dated from Actian Era, B.C. 31, but most from the
Caesarian Era, autumn, B.C. 49, which is also found in class (β).
Inscr., ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ, and names of the Legati of Syria, also ΑΝ-
ΤΙΟΧЄWΝ ΤΗC ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛЄWC. Types referring to Zeus, Artemis,
Apollo; also Tyche and Orontes group; Running ram looking back
with crescent and star above it (B. M. C., Galat., p. lix); Boule (?)
dropping pebble into urn (ib., Pl. XIX. 11); Tripod with human
heads (Pl. XX. 8). On this quasi-autonomous coinage see Maonald
in N. C., 1904, pp. 105 f., where it is shown that the most remark-
able group belongs to the year A.D. 129, when Hadrian visited Antioch.
Antiocheni ad Daphnen. See supra, p. 763, under Antiochus IV.
Apameia (Kul'at el-Mudk), on the Orontes or an affluent (the Axius),
originally called Pharnake and then Pella. It was renamed by
Seleucus I in honor of his wife Apame. It was a regal mint-place
of Antiochus IV and later Syrian kings (Inscr., ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ
ΠΡΟΣ ΤΩΙ ΑΞΙΩΙ and ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ), and shared in the Tetrapolis
coinage (p. 778, supra). Autonomous , second and first centuries B.C.,
with dates of Seleucid Era, B.C. 312: cf. B. M. C., Galat., p. lxiv, and
Hunter Cat., iii. p. 191. Inscr., ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ, ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ
ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ, ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ. Types
relate to Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Dionysos, Nike. Elephant as
rev. type. B. M. C., p. 233, No. 3, &c.; also rev. Warrior advancing, Ib.
No. 1. Imperial. Imhoof, N. Z., xxxiii, p. 5, attributes the following
to Apameia in the time of Claudius :Head of Zeus, rev. ΚΛΑΥΔ[ΙЄWΝ]
ΑΠ[ΑΜ]ЄWΝ, Goddess of city seated, hand resting on shield, at feet,
Orontes (Axius) (Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXXIII. 28). Also with the name
Claudia only :obv. ΚΛΑΥΔΙЄWΝ, Head of Helios; rev. ΚΛΑΥΔΙЄWΝ,
Head of Selene (Imhoof, Zur gr. u. rm. Mnzk., p. 236).
Balanaea (Bnias), on the shore, south of Latakiyeh (B. M. C., Galat.,
p. lxiv; p. 236). This town is thought by M. Rouvier to have been
identical with Leucas (Rev. Biblique, Oct. 1904). Era Seleucid.
III. Chalcidice
[B. M. C., Galatia, &c., p. liv.]
IV. Palmyrene
V. Seleucis and Pieria
FIG. 343.
Female head.
ΒΑΛΑΝΕΩΝ CΥ[ριασ] Zeus seated
holding Nike. Date 104 = B.C.
209/8.
Head of City. [Fox, Engr., ii. p. 30.]
ΒΑΛΑΝΕΩΤΩΝ CΥ Nike standing.
Date 104 = B.C. 209/8.
Also with head of M. Antonius; rev. ΒΑΛΑΝΕΩΤΩΝ CΥ. Indian Dionysos in chariot.
Emisa (Homs), on the Orontes, celebrated for its temple of Elagabal, the Syrian divinity identified by the Romans with Sol and Jupiter. Imperial, Antoninus Pius to Uranius Antoninus. Inscr., ЄΜΙCΗΝΩΝ, and from Caracallas time, ЄΜΙCΩΝ ΚΟΛΩΝΙΑC, or ΜΗΤΡΟ. ΚΟΛ. ЄΜΙCΩΝ. Dates of Seleucid Era. TypesEagle standing on the black conical stone of Elagabal; Great altar of Elagabal richly decorated
Epiphaneia, on the Orontes, the Hamath of the Old Testament, received its Greek name from Antiochus IV, Epiphanes. Autonomous of second century B.C. Inscr., ΕΠΙΦΑΝΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥ- ΛΟΥ. TypesHead of Tyche of city, rev. Zeus seated, holding Nike; Bust of Athena, rev. Apollo standing. Some with dates (of era of Aradus ?) as at Paltus.
Gabala (Jebeleh), south of Laodiceia ad Mare. Inscr., ΓΑΒΑΛΕΩΝ. Autonomous of first century B.C.; obv. Head of Helios; rev. Fore- part of galley and date ΗΚ; obv. Bearded head, rev. Crab and crescent (Imhoof, Zur gr. u. rm. Mnzk., p. 236; B. M. C., Galat., p. 243). ImperialAugustus to Macrinus (or later ?). Era begins B.C. 47. Types chiefly relate to a Syrian goddess (Astarte or Aphrodite ?), who appears seated holding flower, poppy-head, &c. Also Veiled cultus-statue of the same goddess, accompanied by two sphinxes and crescent and star. Also Athena; Owl and sphinx (B. M. C., p. 244; cf. N. Z., xxxiii. p. 6); &c.
Laodiceia ad Mare (Latakiyeh), refounded by Seleucus I and named after his mother Laodice, was an important and well-built city of Syria with an excellent harbor. Second century B.C. Inscr., ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ ΠΡΟΣ (or ΤΩΝ ΠΡΟΣ) ΘΑΛΑΣΣΗΙ. Coins of the Seleucid kings and autonomous , obv. Head of the Tyche of Laodiceia, rev. Nike. Also coins of the Tetrapolis (p. 778, supra). First century B.C. AR tetra- drachms, weight 230-220 grains., obv. Bust of the Tyche, veiled and turreted, rev. Zeus seated holding Nike, all in wreath. Also AR Drachm (56-60 grains) with obv. Bust of Tyche, rev. ΛΑ ΘΕ Aplustre (Imhoof, Zur gr. u. rm. Mnzk., p. 237). , Head of Zeus, rev. Tripod with lebes; Radiate head (Helios?), rev. Artemis huntress; Head of Artemis, rev. Boars head (cf. B. M. C., Galat., p. lxvii); Head of Dionysos, rev. Pharos (ib., p. 250, No. 24). Inscr., ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΟΝΟ- ΜΟΥ, and after B.C. 47 (when Julius Caesar visited Syria and conferred various honors on the cities), ΙΟΥΛΙΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ.
Imperial and Colonial, Augustus to Trebonianus Gallus (or Valerian?). (α) Without name of emperor. first and second century A.D. Inscr., ΙΟΥΛΙЄWΝ ΤWΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΔΙΚЄWΝ. Bust of Athena, rev. Bust of Sarapis. (β) With name of Emperor. Inscr., ΙΟΥΛΙΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ; under Sept. Severus, ΙΟΥΛΛΑΟΔΙCЄΟVΜΗΤΡΟ- ΠΟΛЄWC. From time of Caracalla, inscr., chiefly in Latin, COL. LAOD. METROPOLEOS or LAVDICEON. Types chiefly relate to the Tyche of
Larissa (Kul'at es-Seijr), on the Orontes. Autonomous of first century B.C. Inscr., ΛΑΡΙΣΑΙΩΝ ΤΗΣ. ΙΕΡΑΣ. TypesHead of Zeus, rev. Throne of Zeus; Head of City, rev. Horse walking (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxviii f.).
Nicopolis Seleucidis (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxix). Imperial, Com- modus to Philip. Inscr., ΝЄΙΚΟΠΟΛЄΙΤΩΝ ΤΗC CЄΛЄΥΚΙΔΟC Τ. ΙЄΡΑC; ΝЄΙΚΟΠΟΛЄΙΤΩΝ CЄΛЄΥΚΙΔΟC. TypesWreath; Nemesis in shrine; Artemis (?) and nymph; beneath, river-god, above, Eros flying with torch.
Paltus (Baldeh), between Gabala and Balanaea. Imperial, Septimius Severus to Herenenius Etruscus. Inscr., ΠΑΛΤΗΝΩΝ. TypesDioskuri; Athena; Nike; Bust of J. Domna (?) as Tyche. Era begins in autumn of B.C. 259 or 258 (Imhoof, Rev. Suisse, viii. p. 44 f.; B. M. C., Galat., p. lxx).
Raphanea (Rafniyeh), south-west of Epiphaneia (Hamah). Imperial, Caracalla to Severus Alexander. Inscr., ΡЄΦΑΝЄΩΤΩΝ. Chief type Male figure (Genius of the city ?), seated or standing, holding phiale and cornucopia; in front, bull; on either side, eagle.
Rhosus, on the Gulf of Issus. Autonomous , second and first centuries B.C. Chief typeObv. Head of the Tyche of Rhosus, rev. ΡΩΣΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙЄΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ. Syrian divinity (Hadad ?) horned standing between two recumbent bulls (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxx); cf. similar types described under Dium in Decapolis infra. Also Head of Zeus, rev. ΡΩΣЄΩΝ ΙЄΡΑΣ, Bust of the Tyche. Imperial, Commodus to Caracalla. Inscr., ΡΩCЄΩΝ ΙЄΡΑC, Bust of Artemis or Selene, &c. Era begins B.C. 39 (Maonald, Journ. Internat., 1903, p. 47).
Seleuceia Pieria (Seleukiyeh), the port of Antioch. Founded by Seleucus I, it was a mint of the Syrian kings in the second century B.C. (inscr. on , ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΜ ΠΙΕΡΙΑΙ). Autonomous AR of second and first century B.C. :
Bust of Tyche of Seleuceia. | ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ
ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ Thunderbolt (with
fillet attached) on cushion placed on
stool. AR Tetrad. 230-215 grs.
|
Id. | ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ
Thunderbolt. AR Drachm; also 1/2
Drachm with rev. Nike.
|
Head of Zeus. [Z. f. N., iii. 350.] | ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ
Thunderbolt. AR Diobol
|
Also of second century. Inscr., ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ; ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΜ ΓΙΙΕΡΙΑΙ; ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ. TypesHead of Zeus, rev. Thunderbolt; Head of Apollo, rev. Tripod; Head of Zeus, rev. Three naked Kuretes (Hirsch, Auct. Cat., xiii. 4115). Also of the Tetrapolis, see supra, p. 778. ErasOn the , Seleucid; on the AR are years probably reckoned from the era of the autonomy of the town, beginning B.C. 108 (or 109).
Imperial, Augustus to Severus Alexander. (Tetradrachms were struck under Augustus, and there are also quasi-autonomous of the second century.) Inscr., usually CЄΛЄΥΚЄΩΝ ΠΙЄΡΙΑC, also CЄΛЄΥ- ΚЄΩΝ ΤΗC ΙЄΡΑC ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ. TypesThunderbolt on stool or on roof of shrine, each type sometimes with inscr. ΖЄΥC ΚЄΡΑΥ- ΝΙΟC; Sacred stone with shrine, which is surmounted by eagle, or within temple, generally with inscr. ΖЄΥC ΚΑCΙΟC. EraActian (B.C. 31); also (on coin of Augustus) the era of Seleuceia (B.C. 108 or 109). The types (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxi) of this city mainly relate to Zeus Keraunios and to Zeus Kasios, the latter a Semitic divinity identified with Zeus and honored with annual festivals on Mount Kasios, south of Seleuceia. The thunderbolt was a cultus-object of Zeus Keraunos, and, according to one account, was connected with the foundation of the city; cf. Appian, Syr. 58 φασι δε αυτω τας Σελευκειας οικιζοντι, την μεν επι τη θαλασση, διοσημλαν ηγησασθαι κεραυνου και δια τουτο θεον αυτοις κεραυνον εθετο και θρησκευουσι και υμνουσι και νον κεραυνον.
Chalcis sub Libano (Mejdel Anjar), at the foot of Antilibanus (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxiii, cf. liv). This city, together with the neighbouring Heliopolis, the valley of the Marsyas and the mountainous region of Ituraea, constituted a Tetrarchy, the whole or portions of which were governed in the first century B.C. by rulers who took the titles of τετρορχης and αρχιερευς.
Ptolemy, son of Mennaeus, circ. B.C. 85-40.
Head of Zeus, laureate. | ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ Eagle
flying. .85
|
Id. | ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ ΚΑΙ
ΑΡΧΙΙΕΡ (sic) Two warriors standing facing, holding spears; laurel-
wreath. .75
|
Head of Lysanias, diademed. | ΛΥΣΑΝΙΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΑΡ-
ΧΙΕΡΕΩΣ Athena Nikephoros standing. .75
|
From B.C. 36 to 30 the dominions of Lysanias were in the hands of Cleopatra. After her death they were farmed by Zenodorus, who, how- ever, in B.C. 24 lost Batanea, Trachonitis, and Auranitis on their being handed over by Augustus to Herod I. He retained Oulatha and Panea s till his death in B.C. 20.
Zenodorus, son of Lysanias, B.C. 30-20.
Head of Octavian. | ΖΗΝΟΔΩΡΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΩΣ Head of Zenodorus. |
With date 87 of an era beginning either B.C. 117 or B.C. 114 (B. M.C., Galat., p. 281).
For later coins of the kingdom of Chalcis see Judaea.
Damascus. The earliest coins are Alexandrine tetradrachms, symbol, forepart of ram (Mller, Nos. 1338-1346), belonging to circ. B.C. 300 or later. Autonomous of second and first centuries B.C. with dates of Seleucid era (cf. Demetrias). Inscr., ΔΑΜΑΣΚΗΝΩΝ. TypesHead of Tyche; Tyche standing; Ram; Stag; &c. (see De Saulcy, Terre- Sainte, p. 30 f.). On Damascus as a probable mint of the later Seleucid kings see supra, p. 772, and as a mint of the Nabathaean kings see under Arabia, p. 811.
Imperial, Augustus to Severus Alexander. Inscr., ΔΑΜΑCΚΗΝWΝ; ΔΑΜΑCΚΗΝWΝ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛЄWC; ΔΑΜΑCΚΟV ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛЄΟC; ΔΑΜΑCΚΟV ΙЄΡΑC ΚΑΙ ЄΝΔΟΞΟV. Colonial, Philip I to Gallienus. Inscr., COL ΔΑΜAS METRO. Types (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxv; De Saulcy, op. cit.), chiefly representations of the Tyche of Damascus. Also, the river-god Chrysoroas (Barada) reclining, inscribed ΠΗΓΑΙ (Fig. 344) (cf. De Saulcy, p. 47, No. 9; Imhoof, Nymphen, p. 170, No. 470;
Heliopolis (Baalbek). Colonial, Sept. Severus to Gallienus (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxvii; De Saulcy. op. cit., p. 6). Inscr., COL. HEL. COLL IVL AVG FEL HEL. TypesTemple of Jupiter Heliopolitanus with inscr. I O M H = Jovi optimo maximo Heliopolitano; Propylaeum of the same temple, I O M H ; Temple on rock approached by lofty staircase; Mercury (the triad of Heliopolitan divinities consisted of Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury: Perdrizet, Comptes rendus de l'Acad. des inscr., 1901, p. 128); Bust of the Tyche; the Tyche standing, on each side a standing figure and two Victories holding veil over her head; Two figures (of Herakles?) each holding club and stag(?) (Brit. Mus.); Two naked figures each holding vexillum and stag (?) (Brit. Mus.); Three agonistic crowns, inscr. CERT SACR CAP OEC ISE HEL = Certamina Sacra Capitolina Oecumenica Iselastica Heliopolitana; Two athletes supporting crown; Athlete drawing lots from urn.
Besides the above described there are billon tetradrachms of J. Domna, and of Caracalla, of the Antiochene class, rev. Eagle, ΔΗΜ ΑΡΧ &c.; symbol, bust of Helios.
Laodiceia ad Libanum, on the Orontes (De Saulcy, T. S., p. 3 f.; cf. B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxviii). Imperial, Sept. Severus to Caracalla. Inscr., ΛΑΟΔΙΚЄΩΝ ΠΡΟC ΛΙΒΑΝΩ. Chief Type, ΜΗΝ standing beside horse.
Leucas on the Chrysoroas (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxviii). Imperial, Claudius to Gordian III (some without emperors heads). Inscr., ΛΕΥ- ΚΑΔΙΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΚΛΑΥΔΙΑΙΩΝ; ΚΛΑΥΔΙΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΕΥΚΑ- ΔΙΩΝ; ΛΕΥΚΑΔΙΩΝ, &c. TypesEmperor standing in quadriga; Herakles; Nike; River-god ΧΡΥCΟΡΟΑC. Eras(i) Beginning B.C. 38-7; (ii) A.D. 48.
Posidium (el-Bouseit), on a bay at the south-west base of Mount Casius. The following small coin has been attributed to this town (cf. B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxix) :Obv. Baal seated holding grapes; in field, fulmen. Rev. ΠΟΣΙ[Δ]..... Bearded head in pilos. AR Size .55. Wt. 64.7 grains.
Caesareia Panias (Banias), at the foot of Mount Hermon (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxx f.). This city, at first called Panias, formed part of the tetrarchy of Zenodorus (see Chalcis sub Libano). In B.C. 20 it was
coins of Augustus (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxx), with rev. C A within wreath (= Caesareia Augusta ?), have been attributed, with little probability, to Caesareia Panias, for these pieces are found not only in Palestine but also in Asia Minor (near Smyrna) and in Hayling Island, England, and C A may mean Commune Asiae, i.e. κοινον Ασιας (Froehners Mlanges d'epigr., 1875, p. 76), or simply Caesar Augustus (Th. Reinach).
Gaba, probably identical with the Gabe of Pliny, v. 18 (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxxii; p. 300). Imperial, Titus to Caracalla. Inscr., ΚΛΑΥΔΙ. ΦΙΛΙΠ. ΓΑΒΗΝΩΝ; ΓΑΒΗΝΩΝ. Usual type, Mn standing. Dates of era of Gaba beginning B.C. 61 (or B.C. 60?).
Abila (Abl), twelve miles east of Gadara. Imperial, M. Aurelius to Caracalla (De Saulcy, T. S., p. 309 f.). Inscr., CΕ. ΑΒΙΛΗΝΩΝ Ι. Α. Α. Γ. ΚΟΙ. CΥ (= CЄΛЄΥΚΕΩΝ ΑΒΙΛΗΝΩΝ ΙЄΡΑC ΑCΥΛΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΝΟ- ΜΟΥ ΓΝΩΡΙΜΟΥ (?) ΚΟΙΛΗC CΥΡΙΑC); CЄ. ΑΒΙΛΗΝΩΝ ΚΟΙ. CΥ. TypesHerakles; Cornucopia; Bunch of grapes (cf. Euseb. πολις οινοφορος); Temple flanked by towers. Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Antiocheia ad Hippum (Hippus). Site at Khurbet Ssyeh, on the east of the Lake of Gennesaret (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxxiii). Imperial, Nero to Caracalla. Inscr., ΑΝΤΙΟΧ. ΠΡ. ΙΠ. ΙЄΡ. ΑCΥΛΟ; ΙΠΠΗΝΩΝ. TypesTyche of the city holding horse; Horse standing; Horses head; Pegasos (Rev. Suisse, 1908, pp. 127, 128). Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Canata or Canatha (Kunawt). See B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxxiv. Imperial, Claudius to Commodus. Inscr., ΚΑΝΑΤΗΝΩΝ; ΚΑΝΑΘΗ- ΝΩΝ ΓΑΒЄΙΝ. (the epithet Gabinia was probably derived from Gabinius the Proconsul of Syria). TypesTyche of the city; Head of Athena; Dionysos; Head of Zeus (probably the Ζευς μεγιστος of Canata); Astarte standing. Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Dium (Eidun ?), near Pella. Imperial, Caracalla and Geta. Inscr., ΔЄΙΗΝΩΝ. TypeHadad? (cf. Rev. arch., 1894, pt. 2, p. 250), horned, standing between two bulls. A somewhat similar type occurs on other Syrian coins, at Rhosus, Hieropolis in Cyrrhestica, Neapolis in Samaria, and on tetradrachms of Antiochus XII (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxxv). Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Gadara (Umm Keis), south-east of the Sea of Galilee, was rebuilt by Pompey circ. B.C. 63 and made a free city. Autonomous First century B.C. Obv. Head of Tyche, rev. ΓΑΔΑΡЄWΝ, Cornucopia and date 18 [Brit. Mus.]. Imperial, Augustus to Gordian III. Inscr., ΓΑΔΑΡЄΙΣ; ΓΑΔΑΡΑ; ΓΑΔΑΡЄWΝ; ΠΟΜΠΗΙЄWΝ ΓΑΔΑΡЄWΝ (or abbreviated), also with addition of Ι (=ΙЄΡΑC) Α (= ΑCΥΛΟΥ) Α (= ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ) Γ (= ?). Κ. CΥ (= ΚΟΙΛΗC CΥΡΙΑC). Types Bust of Tyche; Bust of Herakles; Two cornucopia; Zeus in temple; Male figure between two lions (De Saulcy. T. S., p. 303, No. 8); Galley with rowers and inscr. ΝΑΥΜΑ ? (= ναυμαχια). Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Gerasa (Jerash). Imperial, Hadrian to Severus Alexander. Types relate to Artemis as Tyche of the city, with inscr. ΑΡΤЄΜΙC ΤΥΧΗ ΓЄΡΑCΩΝ (B. M.C., Galat., p. lxxxviii; N. C., 1900, p. 295). Coins of M. Aurelius and L. Verus are inscribed ΑΝ. ΤΩ. ΠΡ. ΧΡ. ΤΩ. ΠΡ. ΓЄ. (= Αντιοχεων των προς Χρυσοροα (the local river) των προτερον Γερασηνων). The name of Antioch borne by Gerasa is known also from lapidary inscriptions of the second century A.D. (Perdrizet in Revue biblique, July, 1900, p. 441; cf. Rev. Num., 1900, p. 487).
Pella (Tubukat el Fahil), about twenty miles south of the Sea of Galilee. Imperial, Commodus, Lucilla, and Elagabalus (De Saulcy, T. S., p. 291 f.). Inscr., ΠЄΛΛΑΙΩΝ. TypesAthena; Male figure standing holding phiale; Tyche of City seated, and River-god [Brit. Mus.]. Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Philadelpheia (Amman), the Rahbath-Ammon of the Old Testament. The city as it existed in the third century B.C. was rebuilt and renamed by Ptolemy Philadelphus. Imperial, Hadrian to Severus Alexander (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxxix). Inscr., ΦΙΛΑΔЄΛΦЄΩΝ ΚΟΙΛΗC CΥΡΙΑC; ΦΙΛ. ΚΟΙ. CΥΡΙ. Types relate chiefly to the Tyrian Herakles; Bust of Herakles; Four-horse car of Herakles, ΗΡΑΚΛЄΙΟΝ ΑΡΜΑ, doubtless employed in festal processions to carry cultus-objects, like the ΙЄΡΑ ΑΠΗΜΗ of Ephesian coins (supra, p. 577); Bust of ΘЄΑ ΑCΤЄΡΙΑ, the mother of the Tyrian Herakles.
Please add updates or make corrections to the NumisWiki text version as appropriate. Syria, a maritime region of Asia, the most interesting as well in a religious as in an historical sense, of any in the world. It anciently included Phoenicia and below it Palaestina, (the latter afterwards called the Holy Land, as having been the country of our Blessed Saviour's nativity, the theatre of his miracles and labors of love, the scene of his passion, death, burial, glorious resurrection and ascension.) Syria was bounded by Cilicia on the north, by Arabia and the river Euphrates on the east, by Arabia and Egypt on the south, and by the Mediterranean on the west. This magnificent region had, for ages before its subjugation by republican Rome, been governed by a succession of independent kings, conspicuous among whom were the Seleucidae. The epoch when Syria became a Roman province is not precisely known ; probably it was Pompey the Great who reduced it to that condition, as he appears to have invested its municipal authorities with the privilege of coining money (autonomes). It stands afterwards recorded amongst the provinces of the empire, under Julius Caesar and Augustus ; and its famous city Antioch, (where Christians were first distinguished by that appellation,) situate on the Orontes, was by succeeding emperors made not only its metropolis, but also the metropolis of the whole East.-- The Syrians were especially devoted to the worship of the Sun ; at the same time acknowledging Jupiter and Apollo as the chief, if not only, divinities.-- The Genius Urbis is represented on Imperial colonial coins of cities in this province, particularly those of the first rank, under the form of a woman with turreted head.-- See Vaillant's Num. Imp. in Col. ; also the words Antioch and Astarte. |
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Wruck, W. Die Syrische Provinzialprgung von Augustus bis Traian. (Stuttgart, 1931).
Ancient| coins from the Seleukid Kingdom for Sale in the Forum| Ancient| Coins| shop|
Babelon, E. Les Rois de Syrie, etc. (Paris, 1890).Seleucus I (Nicator), B.C. 312-280, was the founder of the dynasty. He had been one of Alexanders principal officers, and was appointed satrap of Babylon by the regent Antipater in B.C. 321. Expelled by
For anonymous coins attributed to Seleucus as satrap see under Babylon (infra, p. 816). Prior to B.C. 306 his currency consisted largely of AV and AR with the name and types of Alexander, his issues being some- times distinguished by an anchor as adjunct symbol (Mller, Nos. 1355-9 and 1491-1514). The following remarkable pieces, with Ptolemaic obverse, seem to be connected with his stay in Egypt :AV Double- staters, anonymous, obv. Head of Alexander in elephant-skin, and rev. Nike, with head of horned horse in the field; . ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Similar types or, sometimes, rev. Anchor (Svoronos, Νομ. των Πτολ., Pl. I. 29-35). The corresponding AR bore Alexanders name and types (Mller, No. 1487). Alexandrine types continued to be employed by Seleucus for various denominations, including the obol (N. C., 1900, p. 293), down to the very end of his reign; tetradrachms minted at Pergamum cannot be earlier than circ. B.C. 284 (Imhoof, Dyn. von Pergamon, pp. 15 f.). But after B.C. 306 his own name, generally accompanied by ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, was usually (though not invariably) substituted for that of Alexander. Other innovations appeared. On a good many specimens Zeus holds Nike instead of eagle, while on the Dr. and Dr. of one series the figure of Seleucus, wearing horned helmet and mounted on horned horse, replaces the seated Zeus (N. Z., 1895, p. 15). This tendency to modification found more decided expression in completely new types, the Attic weight of Alexander's coinage being maintained. All have inscr. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ. The following were probably the earliest :
Head of Apollo. [N. Z., 1895, Pl. II. 6, and 1901, Pl. I. 1.] | Artemis shooting, in car drawn by two
horned elephants. AV Stater
|
Head of Zeus. [B. M. C., Pl. I. 8.] | Athena fighting, in similar car.
AR Tetradrachm, Dr., Drachm, and Obol
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. I. 7.] | Similar; car has four horned elephants.
AR Tetradrachm and Drachm.
|
Head of Athena. [Imhoof, Zur gr. und rm. Mnzkunde, Pl. VIII. 21.] | Head of elephant.
AR Drachm [Vienna] and Obol
|
Most of the preceding have symbols, monograms, or letters on the rev. They fall naturally into groups, indicating that they were struck over
Head of Seleucus, with bulls horn. [B. M. C., Pl. I. 6.] | Head of bridled horse, with horns and
plume. AV Stater and AR Tetradr.
|
In all likelihood the types just described were introduced towards the close of the reign of Seleucus; his successor adopted them. On the other hand, a series with rev. recalling the coinage of Agathocles (p. 181) may have begun after the victory of Ipsus (B.C. 301) :
Head of Seleucus, idealized, in helmet ornamented with bulls horn and covered with panthers skin. | Nike crowning trophy (Fig. 332).
AR Tetradrachm, Dr., and Dr.
|
Id. [Philip II Coll.] | Id., without ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ. AR Obol
|
The foregoing, which are not distinctively Eastern, seem to represent the Syrian mintage of Seleucus after the transference of his capital to Antioch (cf. N. Z., 1895, p. 17). At the same time they must have been well known beyond the Euphrates, for barbarous imitations come from Baluchistan (see infra under Antiochus I). The remaining AR of Seleucus may have been struck in Central Asia, the head of the horned horse being particularly associated with the East:
Head of bridled horse, with horns. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. II. 9.] | Elephant walking. AR Tetradrachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. II. 1.] | Anchor. AR Drachm
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. II. 11.] | Bow and quiver. AR Diobol
|
Tripod. [B. M. C., Pl. II. 2.] | Anchor. AR Obol
|
Id. [Berlin.] | Bow and quiver. AR Obol
|
The coins are numerous and varied; for details see London, Paris, and Hunter Catalogues. Some of the types resemble those of the AR, but the array of obverses with facing heads is remarkable.
Antiochus I (Soter), called βασιλευς in the cuneiform inscriptions of Babylon at least as early as B.C. 289, was associated with his father in the government circ. B.C. 293-281, the provinces beyond the Euphrates being committed to his care. To this period doubtless belong the AR coins with ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ. Antiochus, son of
It is quite possible that among the many coins inscribed ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ there may be some that were issued by Antiochus I as viceroy of the East; this is notably so with those that have his father's head on the obv. The great majority must, however, have been struck during his own tenure of the supreme power, B.C. 281-261. All are of Attic weight. Alexandrine types are found both on AV (Hunter Cat., iii, Pl. LXIII. 21) and on AR (tetradrachms, drachms, and hemidrachms). Nor were the characteristic types of Seleucus abandoned, all the coins on which these appear being seemingly of Central Asian origin [2]:
Head of Seleucus I, with bulls horn. [Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXIII. 20.] |
Head of horned horse. AR Tetradrachm
|
Head of Antiochus I. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVIII. 15.] |
Id. AV Stater, AR Tetradrachm, Dr., Drachm,
and Obol [Petrowicz Coll.]
|
Helmeted head: barbarous. [N. C., 1904, Pl. XVII. 1-7.] |
Nike crowning trophy: barbarous.
AR Dr., Dr., and Obol
|
After his death Antiochus I was deified as Αντιοχος Απολλων Σωτηρ (C. I. G., 4458), a circumstance that throws some light on the most noteworthy type he introducedApollo on the omphalos.
Head of Seleucus I, with bulls horn. [N. C., 1883, Pl. IV. 1.] | Apollo, naked, seated on omphalos, looking along bow. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Head of Antiochus I (cf. Fig. 333). | Similar; but Apollo looks along arrow.
AV Stater, AR Tetradrachm and Drachm
|
The latter variety of rev. is the one which became conventional, but sometimes Apollo holds two or three arrows, as he does on Fig. 333. Differences of style and fabric prove that coins with this rev. were minted at various widely separated centers. But it is remarkable that
1 The average weight of seven tetradrachms is 212.5 grs., the maximum 214.5.
2 The barbarous imitations of Fig. 332 come from Baluchistan (N. C., 1904, pp. 317 f.).
Head of Antiochus I. [J. H. S., xxvii. Pl. XIII. 5.] |
Herakles seated on rock; in field, one-
handled vase. AR Tetradrachm |
The coinage of Antiochus I, like that of his father, presents many varieties; see London and Paris Catalogues, and, regarding the denominations, Hunter Cat., iii. p. 15.
Seleucus, son of Antiochus I, appears as βασιλευς in the cuneiform inscriptions of Babylon from B.C. 275 to 269, when he held the vice- royalty of the East. No coins can be identified with certainty as his; see, however, J. H. S., xxiii. p. 110.
Antiochus II (Theos) ruled jointly with Antiochus I, circ. B.C. 266- 261; alone, B.C. 261-246. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ. Wt., Attic. A head formerly supposed to be that of Antiochus Hierax or of Antiochus III is apparently that of Antiochus II (J. H. S., xxiii. Pl. I. 3 and 5). Characteristic likenesses, whose identity is absolutely certain, occur also on the better executed among the following, all struck about the beginning of the reign at Cyme, Myrina, or Phocaea (J. H. S., xxvii. pp. 145 ff.):
Head of Antiochus II. [Op. cit., Pl. XIII. 7-14, and Pl. XIV. 4-13.] | Herakles seated on rock; mint-marks.
AR Tetradrachm
|
Other varieties of portrait attach themselves more or less closely to those already mentioned, while others again have become associated with Antiochus II simply because they obviously do not represent either his father or his grandson. A remarkable AV stater has: obv. Head of Antiochus II, rev. Athena Nikephoros (Babelon, Rois, Pl. VI. 1). But the usual types are :
Head of Antiochus II. [B. M. C., Pl. V. 1 ff.] |
Apollo seated on omphalos.
AV Stater, AR Tetradrachm, and Drachm
|
Regarding the variations of this rev. see Babelon, Rois, p. lxii. On one set of tetradrachms (J. H. S., xxiii. Pls. I and II), struck chiefly at Alexandreia Troas, the kings diadem is winged, a peculiarity which is local, not personal (op. cit., p. 102). On the majority of these, as well as on a certain number of other specimens, the head itself is idealized, perhaps an indication that they were struck after Antiochus was dead; see infra under Antiochus Hierax. All such pieces seem to have been minted in Western Asia Minor (op. cit., p. 116). On the other hand, the
Head of Antiochus II. [N. C., 1881, Pl. II. 5-7.] |
Head of bridled horse, with horns and
plume. AV Stater, AR Tetradrachm and Drachm.
|
During the reign of Antiochus II Bactria, under Diodotus, revolted against Seleucid rule. Before the revolt the vassal may have placed his own portrait on the obv. of certain AV and AR coins with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Zeus hurling fulmen (B. M. C., Pl. V. 7). At all events, portrait and type are identical with those that afterwards appear on the independent money of Diodotus. For of Antiochus II see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 22 f.
Seleucus II (Callinicus, Pogon), B.C. 246-226. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ. Wt., Attic.
Head of Seleucus II, sometimes with
slight whisker. [Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXIV. 18.] |
Apollo, naked, standing leaning on bow.
AV Stater, AR Dr., and
|
Head of Athena, in close helmet. | Id. [B. M. C., Pl. VI. 6]. AR Dr. and
|
Head of Seleucus II, rarely with slight whisker. (Fig. 334.) | Apollo, naked, standing leaning on
tripod. AR Tetradrachm., Dr., and
|
Head of Seleucus II, bearded (Πωγων, cf. Polybius, ii. 71). | Id. [N. C., 1886, Pl. XI. 18, and B. M. C.,
Pl. VI. 14]. AR Tetradrachm
|
The exceptional attitude here assumed by Apollo may be due to the conventional type having been usurped by Hierax (Six, N. C., 1898, p. 235). For other varieties, particularly of , see Imhoof, Monn. gr., pp. 426 f., and also London, Paris, and Hunter Catalogues.
Antiochus Hierax, B.C. 246-227, revolted from his brother Seleucus II, and declared himself king of Asia Minor. It is probable that some of the tetradrachms with rev. Apollo on omphalos, and inscr. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, were really issued by him. The probability is strongest in the case of those that bear an idealized head of his father, Antiochus II, and the mint-marks of cities like Alexandreia Troas, Cyzicus, Lampsacus, and Abydus (J. H. S., xxiii. p. 116). Various attempts to identify his own portrait have also been made (Bunbury, N. C., 1883, p. 83; Babelon, Rois, p. lxxii; Maonald, J. H. S., xxiii. p. 114).
Seleucus III (Soter, Keraunos), B.C. 226-223, eldest son of Seleucus II. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ. Wt., Attic.
Head of Seleucus III, with slight whisker. [B. M. C., Pl. VII. 6 f.] | Apollo on omphalos, sometimes with l.
elbow on tripod.
AR Tetradrachm, Dr., and
|
Other varieties of are more doubtfully assigned to this king.
Antiochus III (the Great). B.C. 223-187, second son of Seleucus II, regained much of the territory that his predecessors had lost. Owing to the extent of his dominions and the length of his reign, his coins exhibit great differences in style and fabric. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ. Wt., Attic. The usual rev. type is the traditional one :
Head of Antiochus III, rarely with
slight whisker. [Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXV. 6.] |
Apollo on omphalos.
AV Octadrachm, Stater, AR Tetradrachm, Drachm.
|
The AV octadrachms (Fig. 335), which weigh 528.5 grs. max., were issued at two distinct periods (Hunter Cat., iii. p. 30). A standard portrait is furnished by dated struck in Phoenicia. Many varieties, however, occur on the AR, and identity is sometimes doubtful. On the coins of one well-marked group (cf. Fig. 335) one end of the diadem usually falls forward over the shoulder, while the obv. has a fillet- border. These are probably Syrian (Hunter Cat., iii. p. 31). Others, which show the king with thin, sharp features and elongated neck, are generally classed as Bactrian (N. C., 1883, p. 93, Pl. V. 8 f.). A minority appear to be certainly of Asia Minor (B. M. C., Pl. VIII. 6) or of Phoenicia (Babelon, Rois, Nos. 344 f.). On the following, which are much less common, the portrait sometimes approximates to the Bactrian model :
Head of Antiochus III. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. X. 1-3.] |
Elephant.
AV Stater, AR Tetradrachm. and Dr.
|
The types of the are very varied (Babelon, Rois, Pls. X and XI), and the serrated edge is now first met with. Some numismatists recognize the head of Antiochus III on coins struck at various European mints (B. M. C., Pl. XXVIII. 2-4; Babelon, Rois, pp. lxxxii f.).
Molon, B.C. 221-220, satrap of Media, revolted from Antiochus and struck with inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΟΛΩΝΟΣ.
Head of Zeus. [B. M. C., Pl. X. 1.] | Apollo Musegetes. .85
|
Head of Apollo. [B. M. C., Pl. X. 2.] | Nike, crowning name of Molon. .75
|
Head of Achaeus. [Munich: Imhoof, Portrtkpfe, Pl. III. 19.] | Athena Promachos; in field, head of
horse. AV Stater
|
Id. (?). [Babelon, Rois, p. lxxxviii.] | Apollo standing, with arrow. .65
|
Head of Apollo. [B. M. C., Pl. X. 3.] | Eagle, with palm or wreath. .75
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. X. 4.] | Tripod. .45
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XI. 12.] | Head of horse. .4
|
Seleucus IV (Philopator), B.C. 187-175. Inscr, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ. Wt., Attic. The AR coins of this king are tetradrachms and drachms, with rev. Apollo on omphalos. The former fall into two groups, a large one with fillet-border on obv., and a much smaller one with border of dots. Here again, as in the case of his father, a standard portrait is furnished by dated coins of Phoenicia. The ordinary rev. of these is the stern of a galley (Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXVI. 5), but one very rare variety has a lyre and the title ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ. For with serrated edges see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 39 f. Cf. also Babelon, Rois, pp. xci and 64 ff.
Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), B.C. 175-164, a younger son of Antiochus III, seized the throne upon his brothers death. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, either alone or with ΘΕΟΥ (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XII. 5), ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ, or ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ. Wt., Attic. Few of the portraits of this king present a genuine likeness; see Babelon, Rois, p. xciii. For the most part the head is idealized as befits a god incarnate. The occasional appearance of a star above it on the tetradrachms, or of twin stars at the ends of the diadem, also indicates deification, while the diadem itself is often radiate on the smaller AR and usually so on the .[1] The predominance of the fillet-border is even more decided than it had been in the previous reign. Henceforward the border of dots hardly occurs on Seleucid tetradrachms, always excepting those of Phoenician weight, where it is never absent. The traditional Seleucid rev. seems to have been used throughout the reign, being found with all forms of inscr.:
Head of Antiochus IV. [B. M. C., Pl. XI. 1-5.] |
Apollo on omphalos.
AR Tetradr., Dr.,
|
There are other types which never have the simple ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ:
Head of Antiochus IV. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XII. 9 f.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned.
AV Stater, AR Tetradr.,
|
Id. [Op. cit., Pl. XII. 7.] | Aegis (cf. Paus. v. 12. 4). AR Dr.,
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XI. 6.] | Tripod-lebes. AR Diobol
|
Two rare varieties, both probably reproducing statues (cf. Babelon, Rois, pp. xciv ff.), are associated only with the longest inscr. :
1 The radiate diadem also occurs on a very remarkable AR tetradrachm formerly in the O'Hagan Collection (Sale-Cat., Pl. XI, No. 663).
Head of Zeus. [B. M. C., Pl. XI. 9.] | Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm
|
Head of Apollo. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XII. 12.] |
Apollo Musegetes. AR Tetradrachm
|
A notable episode in the reign of Antiochus IV was his invasion of Egypt (B.C. 170-168). With this the following are evidently connected : unique AR drachm (Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXVI. 19) and five denominations of Ptolemaic (Svoronos, Νομ. των Πτολ., Pl. XLVIII. 1-5), all with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, Eagle on thunderbolt; also unique with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Two eagles on thunderbolt (op. cit., Pl. XLVIII. 7).[1] For details as to the ordinary of Antiochus IV see London, Paris, and Hunter Catalogues. The occurrence of value-marks (= 1, 2, or 4 chalkoi) deserves mention; see Imhoof, Z. f. N., iii. pp. 347 ff. Occasionally the mint can be determined by the type. But the most remarkable feature is the inauguration of an extensive system of municipal coinage, with head of king on obv. and city-name on rev. It falls into two classes : (α) With royal name: struck at Gebal (Byblus), Laodiceia in Canaan (Berytus), Sidon, Tyre, and Ascalon. The city-name is usually in Phoenician script, but sometimes in Greek and sometimes also in both. [B. M. C., Pl. XII. 14-16.] (β) Without royal name: struck at Aegeae, Alexandreia ad Issum, Antiocheia ad Sarum (Adana), Hieropolis, and Seleuceia ad Pyramum (Mopsus)all in Cilicia; and also at Hieropolis in Cyrrhestica, Antiocheia ad Daphnen, Antiocheia in Ptolemais (Ace), Tripolis, Antiocheia ad Callirhoen (Edessa), Apameia in Syria, Laodiceia ad Mare, Seleuceia in Pieria, and Antiocheia in Mygdonia (Nisibis, infra, p. 815). [B. M. C., Pl. XIII. 1-8.] A coin of Tripolis has jugate heads of king and queen.
Antiochus V (Eupator), B.C. 164-162, had been made βασιλευς in 170 B.C., when his father set out for Egypt. He was then but three years old, and he may well be the child whose head appears on AR tetra- drachms with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Apollo on omphalos (Six, N. C., 1897, pp. 215 f.; Maonald, J. H. S., xxiii. p. 113). These were formerly attributed to a mythical son of Seleucus II, but seem certainly to belong to the early part of the second century B.C. The ordinary AR of Antiochus consists of Attic tetradrachms and drachms with inscr. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ. Rev. either Apollo on omphalos, or Zeus seated (B. M. C., Pl. XIII. 11-14). For AV octadrachm with the latter type see Friedlaender and von Sallet, Das Knigl. Mnzkab., No. 426. The Berlin Museum likewise possesses a highly interesting AR tetradrachm with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ, Ptolemaic eagle upon thunderbolt. Unfortunately it is plated, so that the standard cannot be determined. But in any event it forms an important link between the money struck by Antiochus IV in Egypt and the systematic issue of Seleucid coins on the Phoenician system, afterwards inaugurated by Alexander I (q. v.). The rare of Antiochus V includes municipal of Gebal (Byblus) and of Tripolis.
1 Is it possible that the very rare AV staters of Antiochus IV form part of the spoils of Egypt? Polybius (xxviii. 17) records that the king presented a gold piece to each of the Greek inhabitants of Naucratis.
Demetrius I (Soter), B.C. 162-150, was the son of Seleucus IV. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, either alone or with ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ. AR tetra- drachms, drachms, diobols, and obols have rev. Apollo on omphalos (B. M. C., Pl. XIV. 3 and 5). But novel types are more common:
Head of Demetrius I. [B. M. C., Pl. XIV. 1 f.; cf. Imhoof, Monn. gr., p. 432.] | Tyche enthroned, holding sceptre and
cornucopia. AR Tetradrachm, Drachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIV. 4.] | Cornucopia. AR Drachm
|
There are other changes. The fillet-border on the obv. is often replaced by a laurel-wreath, while dates (hitherto confined to Phoenician ) become frequent. The monograms on the rev. also lend themselves more readily to interpretation as mint-marks, although some of the attributions made on this basis are doubtful. Barbarous imitations of the drachm with rev. Cornucopia are fairly numerous. The weight of the AR is Attic, but there are very rare AV coins (Babelon, Rois, p. cxx, Pl. XVII. 1), with obv. Tyche enthroned and rev. Ptolemaic double cornucopia, struck on a different standard, perhaps the Phoenician. Besides municipal of Tyre and of Sidon (B. M. C., Pl. XIV. 6-8), there are several varieties of ordinary . Conspicuous among these are some with heads of animals (B. M. C., Pl. XIV. 12-15); the king was a mighty hunter (Polybius, xxxi. 22. 3).
Demetrius married his sister Laodice, widow of Perseus of Macedon, and the heads of king and queen appear jugate on AR tetradrachms with rev. Tyche enthroned (B. M. C., Pl. XV. 1 f.); also on with rev. Nike (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XVII. 7).
Timarchus, B.C. 162, satrap of Babylon, declined to acknowledge Demetrius, and issued coins in his own name. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΤΙΜΑΡΧΟΥ, an Oriental form of title, used at this time in Parthia and also by Eucratides of Bactria, from whose coins the types of the tetradrachm are borrowed (see infra, p. 839). Wt., Attic.
Head of Timarchus. [Babelon, Rois, p. cxv.] |
Nike in galloping quadriga. AV Stater
|
Helmeted bust. [E. F. Weber, Sale-Cat., Pl. LIII, No. 4078.] | The Dioskuri charging. AR Tetradrachm |
Head of Timarchus. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVIII. 6.] | Artemis, with bow and arrow.
AR Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XV. 3.] | Nike, with wreath and palm. 1.35
|
Alexander I (Bala), B.C. 150-145, was a usurper who professed to be the son of Antiochus IV. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, either alone or with ΘΕΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ, ΕΥΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ (Hunter Cat. iii. p. 61, note), or ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XVIII. 8), all reminiscent of his pretended parentage. One series is very complete :
Head of Alexander I. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XVII. 9 f.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned.
AV Stater, AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XVI. 2.] | Apollo on omphalos. AR Drachm
|
Id., radiate. [B. M. C., Pl. XVI. 3.] | Apollo standing. AR Dr.
|
Id.; no rays. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XVII. 13.] |
Tripod. AR Diobol
|
Head of Alexander I. [B. M. C., Pl. XV. 6.] |
Zeus enthroned, holding fulmen (Sidon).
AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XV. 5.] | Athena Nikephoros standing.
AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XVII. 8.] | Tyche Nikephoros seated. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Imhoof, Monn. gr., p. 433.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
Head of Zeus. [B. M. C., Pl. XVI. 1.] | Thunderbolt within wreath (Seleuceia in
Pieria). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Many of the preceding are dated. All are of Attic weight. But the reign of Alexander witnessed a fresh departurethe systematic striking,
For details as to the abundant and varied of Alexander I see London, Paris, and Hunter Catalogues. Many pieces have the serrated edge. A few are dated, and some have value-marks. Of special interest is the revival of the municipal coinage inaugurated by Antiochus IV (q. v.). Thus, coins of class (α) were struck at Berytus, Gebal (Byblus),
1 Coincidences of date and mint-mark in this and subsequent reigns show they were not intended to supersede the AR of Attic weight. Both kinds of money were issued simultaneously at the same cities. Except on the coins of Tryphon (q.v.) the dates are reckoned from the Seleucid era.
2 That the title was nevertheless meant to be read first is clear from the coins of Cleopatra and Antiochus VIII, and also from those of Tryphon.
Demetrius II (Nicator), B.C. 146-140 (first reign), son of Demetrius I, seized the kingdom with the aid of Ptolemy, who had quarreled with Alexander and who now transferred Cleopatra to the new ruler. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, either alone or with ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, ΘΕΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, ΘΕΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ, or ΘΕΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ. For AV double-stater of Phoenician weight, rev. Anchor, said to be of Persian provenance, see Walcher de Molthein, Cat., Pl. XXVII, No. 2979. AR of Phoenician weight, rev. Eagle, were struck at Berytus, Sidon, and Tyre. The types of the Attic AR are very various. The following apparently form a series :
Head of Demetrius II. [B. M. C., Pl. XVII. 8, 11.] |
Apollo on omphalos.
AR Tetradr., Dr., Obol
|
Id. [Imhoof, Monn. gr., p. 435.] | Apollo standing. AR Dr.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XIX. 5.] | Ear of corn on stalk. AR Diobol
|
A very rare variety of the tetradrachm (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XIX. 16) has a laurel-wreath in place of the usual fillet-border on the obv., a reminiscence of the coinage of Demetrius I (q. v.). This is also recalled by the rare tetradrachm with rev. Tyche enthroned (B. M. C., Pl. XVIII. 2), to which belongs a drachm with rev. Zeus enthroned (ibid., 3). Other rev. types areon tetradrachms (ibid., 1, 11, and 12): Athena Magarsis (Mallus), Zeus Nikephoros enthroned, Athena Nikephoros standing; and on drachms (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XIX. 4 and 6): Cornucopia and Anchor. The coins (not always easily distinguished from those of the second reign) are numerous, and include municipal of Berytus and of Tyre; see London and Hunter Catalogues.
The footing of Demetrius had never been other than precarious. Ultimately he withdrew to Babylon, and was made prisoner in a war with the Parthians.
Antiochus VI (Dionysos), B.C. 145-142, son of Alexander I, was set upon the throne, when a child of seven, by Tryphon, his fathers minister. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, seldom with ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, usually with ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΔΙΟΝΥΣΟΥ. Wt., Attic. There are very rare AR tetra- drachms of B.C. 145 with rev. Zeus Nikephoros enthroned (Babelon Rois, Pl. XX. 6). But his ordinary issues do not begin until the next year, when he assumed the title Διονυσος :
Head of Antiochus VI, radiate (Fig. 337). | The Dioskuri, within wreath; dates.
AR Tetradrachm. |
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIX. 7.] | Helmet with ibex-horn; no dates.
AR Dr.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIX. 3.] | Apollo on omphalos; dates. AR Dr.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIX. 4.] | Apollo standing. AR Dr.[1]
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIX. 5.] | Panther. AR Dr.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XIX. 6.] | Thyrsos. AR Diobol
|
The use of the wreath on the rev. of these tetradrachms is an early example of a practice that subsequently became common. They all bear the letters ΤΡΥ, which also appear regularly on the undated drachms. During B.C. 144 ΤΡΥ, which obviously represents Tryphon, is accompanied only by single letters and monograms, which are apparently mint-marks. Thereafter ΣΤΑ is added beneath ΤΡΥ on the larger denomination. Simultaneously it begins to be placed on the dated drachms (on which ΤΡΥ never occurs), while it is also very prominent on the smaller AR with Dionysiac types (undated) and on the . But there are tetradrachms of B.C. 142 struck from a die from which this name has been erased (Regling, Z. f. N., xxiv. p. 135). The inference is that ΣΤΑ was an important minister who fell from power abruptly. For , often with Dionysiac types, see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 74 ff.
Tryphon (Diodotus), B.C. 142-139, killed his ward and declared himself βασιλευς αυτοκρατωρ, a remarkable title, the importance of which is shown by the fact that it is written in full on the Phoenician AR (see supra, p. 765). Tryphons abandonment of the Seleucid era for dates is also significant. His best-known coins are AR Attic tetradrachms and drachms, and , all having rev. Helmet with ibex-horn (B. M. C., Pl. XX. 1-3). AR Phoenician tetradrachms were struck at Byblus, Ptolemais, and Ascalon: rev. Eagle, with regnal dates (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXI. 4 f.). There are also of Ascalon (ibid., 6). Inscr., always ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΡΥΦΩΝΟΣ ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟΣ.
Antiochus VII (Sidetes), B.C. 138-129, younger brother of Demetrius, overthrew Tryphon and married Cleopatra. Inscription, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟ- ΧΟΥ, either alone or with ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ. Phoenician AR was struck at Sidon and at Tyre (B. M. C., Pl. XX. 4); rev. Eagle. The types of the Attic AR are as follows :
Head of Antiochus VII. [B. M. C., Pl. XX. 6.] |
Athena Nikephoros standing (Tyre, &c.)
AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XX. 7.] | Nike (Tyre, &c.). AR Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVIII. 8.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Hirsch, Auct. Cat. xiii, No. 4467.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
Id. [Petrowicz Coll.] | Athena Magarsis (Mallus). AR Drachm
|
Id. [Brit. Mus.] | Tyche seated. AR Drachm
|
The is interesting and includes some new types, e.g. obv. Bust of Eros and rev. Head-dress of Isis, as well as municipal of Seleuceia in
1 These hemidrachms read simply ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ.
Demetrius II (Nicator), B.C. 129-125 (second reign), was liberated by the Parthian king in order to make trouble for Antiochus. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, either alone or with ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, ΘΕΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, or ΘΕΟΥ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ. Phoenician AR, rev. Eagle, was struck at Ptolemais, Sidon, and Tyre. The Attic AR was of several varieties :
Head of Demetrius II, bearded. | Zeus Nikephoros enthroned (Fig. 338)
AR Tetradrachm., Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXI. 5.] | Athena Magarsis (Mallus). AR Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXI. 6.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXI. 7.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
Id. [Berlin.] | Thunderbolt within wreath (Seleuceia
in Pieria). AR Dr.
|
With rare exceptions (N. C., 1883, Pl. VI. 7) the coins of Phoenician weight retain the beardless portrait of Demetrius which they had borne during his first reign. On all others belonging to the second reign he is represented with a beard. If he began to grow his beard after his return, as is perhaps indicated by N. C., 1883, Pl. VI. 4, then the earliest of his new Attic tetradrachms had rev. Apollo on omphalos (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XIX. 15). But for the most part this once familiar type figures only on the of his second reign: see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 87 ff., where other types of are recorded, the most interesting being that with a figure in Parthian dress (op. cit., Pl. LXVII. 22). There are municipal coins of Sidon and Tyre, the former without the royal name.
Alexander II (Zebina), B.C. 128-123, was set up by Ptolemy Physcon as a rival to Demetrius. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ. On the unique AV stater in the British Museum, rev. Zeus Nikephoros enthroned, he adds ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ, a reminder that he claimed to have been adopted by Alexander I, the pretended son of Epiphanes. This piece is perhaps to be connected with the kings plundering of the golden Nike held by the statue of Zeus at Antioch (Wroth, N. C., 1897, p. 115 [citing Pl. V. 8]). Phoenician AR, rev. Eagle, was struck at Ascalon (Babelon, Rois, p. cl). But the great mass of the AR is Attic:
Head of Alexander II. [B. M. C., Pl. XXII. 2.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXII. 3.] | Double cornucopia. AR Drachm
|
Id. Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXIX. 9.] | Single cornucopia. AR Dr.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXII. 5.] | Nike. AR Dr.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXIII. 8.] | Anchor. AR Diobol
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXII. 4.] | Athena Nikephoros standing.
AR Drachm
|
Id. [Petrowicz Coll.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXIII. 6.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
The includes municipal of Berytus (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXIII. 17). For numerous ordinary varieties see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 93 ff.
Cleopatra, B.C. 125-121, was successively the wife of Alexander Bala, of Demetrius Nicator, and of Antiochus Sidetes. The eldest of her sons by Demetrius assumed the diadem as Seleucus V upon his fathers death. His mother straightway had him murdered, and took the supreme power into her own hands. The British Museum possesses an AR tetradrachm of Attic weight, dated ΖΠΡ (= B.C. 125), and reading ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣ ΘΕΑΣ ΕΥΕΤΗΡΙΑΣ. The rev. type is Egyptian:
Head of Cleopatra (Fig. 339). | Double cornucopia, filleted. |
The queen soon associated with her in the government a younger son of Demetrius, Antiochus VIII (Grypus). Their jugate heads appear on Phoenician AR struck at Sidon: rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Eagle. Inscr. on their Attic AR, ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣ (ΘΕΑΣ) ΚΑΙ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ[1]:
Heads jugate of Cleopatra and Antiochus VIII [B. M. C., Pl. XXIII. 3.] | Zeus Nikephoros enthroned (Sidon, &c.)
AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [N. C., 1900, Pl. I. 14.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradrachm.
|
For with the joint names see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 97 ff.
Antiochus VIII (Grypus), B.C. 121-96, finally compelled his mother to drink poison which she had prepared for himself. His nickname is
1 ΘΕΑΣ is usually omitted on the , and occasionally on the AR. A few of the tetradrachms have a border of dots, instead of a fillet-border, on the obv. The group so formed stands alone in the later coinage of the Seleucidae (see supra, p. 762).
Head of Antiochus VIII [B. M. C., Pl. XXIV. 1.] | Zeus Ouranios standing (Sidon, &c.)
AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXIV. 2.] | Athena Nikephoros standing (Seleuceia
ad Calycadnum, &c.). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXIV. 3.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXV. 6.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
Id. [Petrowicz Coll.] | Tyche standing (Tripolis). AR Drachm
|
Head of Antiochus VIII (Fig. 340). | Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVI. 4.] | Tripod. AR Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XX. 8, and XXVI. 5.] | Nike. AR Dr.
|
Id. [Imhoof, Mon. gr., p. 436.] | Ear of corn on stalk. AR Diobol
|
The coins are numerous, but none of the types are noteworthy. One group, however, is remarkable for the inscr. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟ- ΧΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΜΗΤΟΡΟΣ (Hunter Cat., iii. p. 103). There are of Sidon without the royal name (Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXIV. 16.).
Antiochus IX (Cyzicenus), B.C. 114-95, son of Antiochus VII and Cleopatra, after a struggle divided the kingdom with his half-brother Grypus (B.C. 111), taking as his share Coele-Syria and Phoenicia. His Phoenician AR, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ, Eagle, is fairly common (Sidon, Ascalon, &c.). But he was the last Seleucid king to strike coins of this class. The title ΦΙΛΟΠΛΤΟΡΟΣ is used on his Attic AR, the obol having ΒΑ ΑΝ ΦΙ:
Head of Antiochus IX (Fig. 341). | Athena Nikephoros standing (Sidon, &c.)
AR Tetradr.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVI. 11.] | Nike. AR Dr.
|
Id. [Petrowicz Coll.] | Ear of corn on stalk. AR Diobol
|
Id. [Petrowicz Coll.] | Athena Nikephoros standing. AR Obol
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXV. 1.] | Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradr.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVI. 5 f.] | Tyche standing (Tripolis). AR Tetr., Dr.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVI. 12.] | Pyre of Sandan (Tarsus). AR Tetradr.
|
Id. [Ibid., 13.] | Sandan on lion (Tarsus). AR Drachm
|
For of various types see London, Paris, and Hunter Catalogues.
Seleucus VI (Epiphanes Nicator), B.C. 96-95, succeeded his father Grypus, and renewed the war with Cyzicenus. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΑΤΟΡΟΣ, with occasional omission of ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ For see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 109 f. His AR coins (Attic weight) are:
Head of Seleucus VI. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVIII. 11.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVII. 3.] | Nike. AR Drachm
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXV. 13.] | Double cornucopia. AR Dr.
|
Id. Imhoof, Monn. gr., p. 437.] | Ear of corn on stalk. AR Diobol
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXV. 12; cf. Im- hoof, Kl. M., ii. p. 482.] | Athena Nikephoros standing (Seleuceia
ad Calycadnum). AR Tetradrachm.
|
Antiochus X (Eusebes Philopator), B.C. 95-83, son of Cyzicenus, spent his reign in warfare first with Seleucus VI, and then with the other sons of Grypus. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΟ- ΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ. Wt., Attic.
Head of Antiochus X. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVI. 1.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm |
Id. [Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXX. 12.] | Tyche standing (Tripolis). AR Drachm
|
Id. [Berlin.] | Nike standing. AR Dr.
|
Antiochus XI (Philadelphus), B.C. 92, second or third son of Grypus, struck AR Attic tetradrachms with rev. Zeus Nikephoros enthroned; also with rev. Athena Nikephoros standing: see Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVII. 11 f. Inscr. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ, ΕΠΙ- ΦΑΝΟΥΣ being usually omitted on the AR. Other coins sometimes attributed to this king belong more probably to his father (op. cit., p. clxvii). But there are very rare tetradrachms (Attic) which show his head jugate with that of his brother Philippus: rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ, Zeus Nikephoros enthroned (op. cit., Pl. XXVII. 13).
Philippus (Philadelphus), B.C. 92-83, another son of Grypus, struck AR Attic tetradrachms with rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ, Zeus Nikephoros enthroned (B. M. C., Pl. XXIV. 9). Some are dated from an era beginning in B.C. 111, when Grypus re- turned from exile in Aspendus, and divided the kingdom with Cyzicenus (cf. Wilcken, Hermes, xxix. pp. 436 ff.).
Demetrius III (Philopator), B.C. 95-88, fourth son of Grypus, also took the field against Antiochus X, and proclaimed himself king. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, with either ΘΕΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΣΩ- ΤΗΡΟΣ or ΦΙΛΟΜΗΤΟΡΟΣ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ ΚΑΛΛΙΝΙΚΟΥ. Wt., Attic.
Head of Demetrius III. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXVIII. 4.] |
Zeus Nikephoros enthroned. AR Tetradrachm |
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVI. 10.] | Archaic simulacrum of Asiatic goddess,
facing. AR Tetradrachm |
The last type probably represents Atargatis (Dea Syra) of Damascus: see Rev. archol., 1904, p. 250. This city was the capital of Demetrius. It seems to have temporarily borne the name of Demetrias (Wroth, B. M. C., Galatia, pp. lxxv f.), and to have issued municipal : obv. Head of Demetrius III, and rev. ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ. For this and ordinary see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 114 f.
Antiochus XII (Dionysos), circ. B.C. 87-84, the youngest of the five sons of Grypus, aspired to succeed Demetrius III as king of Coele-Syria. His very rare AR Attic tetradrachms have rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΚΑΛΛΙΝΙΚΟΥ, Bearded divinity standing, facing, on a base between two recumbent bulls (N. Z., 1902, Pl. I. 3, 4). This is probably Hadad of Damascus (see Journ. Asiat., 1904, p. 200). Antiochus, too, made Damascus his capital, and his head appears on municipal of Demetrias (cf. Demetrius III, supra), for which, as well as for other varieties of , see Hunter Cat., iii. pp. 115 ff.
Tigranes, B.C. 83-69, King of Armenia (B.C. 97-56), was invited to put an end to the internecine strife in Syria. This he did, and ruled the country peaceably till his defeat by Lucullus. His coins, Attic AR and , fall into three classes (N. C., 1902, pp. 193 ff.):
Head of Tigranes, wearing lofty Armenian tiara (Fig. 342). | Tyche of Antioch seated; river-god
swimming at her feet. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVII. 9; Babelon, Pl. XXIX. 13.] | Nike, or Palm. .7-.6
|
Head of Tigranes as above; less good work. [Babelon, Rois, Pl. XXIX. 15.] | Tyche with river-god, as above; less
good work. AR Tetradrachm, Dr.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVII. 10 f.] | Id., or Herakles standing. 1-.7
|
Head of Tigranes as above; poor work. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVII. 5.] |
Tyche with river-god, as above, but l.;
poor work. AR Tetradrachm.
|
Id. [B. M. C., Pl. XXVII. 7; Babelon, Pl. XXIX. 14.] | Id., or Tyche standing. .9-.55
|
The rev. of Fig. 342 represents the famous statue of the Tyche of Antioch by Eutychides of Sicyon (Paus. vi. 2). The corresponding type on coins of class (iii) is rather the Tyche of Damascus; cf. the Imperial coins of that city and also those of Aretas III.
(β) Autonomous and Imperial of Syria, Phoenicia, etc.
[Wroth, B. M. C., Galatia, Cappadocia, Syria.
Babelon, Perses Achmnides.
De Saulcy, Numismatique de la Terre-Sainte.]
The coinage of the whole region between the Euphrates and the sea may be described by dividing it into districts in the order which Eckhel adopted:
I. Commagene. | VII. Trachonitis. |
II. Cyrrhestica. | VIII. Decapolis. |
III. Chalcidice. | IX. Phoenicia. |
IV. Palmyrene. | X. Galilaea. |
V. Seleucis and Pieria. | XI. Samaria. |
VI. Coele-Syria. | XII. Judaea. |
Throughout the whole of this vast extent of territory, bounded on the north by offshoots of the Taurus, on the north-east by the Euphrates, and on the east and south by the deserts of Arabia, the royal gold coinage of Persia probably passed current down to the age of Alexander the Great. In the latter half of the fifth century the Persian gold coinage was supplemented by the substantial silver money of the wealthy Phoenician cities of the sea-coast, governed for the most part by their own kings, who seem to have been more or less independent of the King of Persia. The coinage of these towns, Tyre, Sidon, and Byblus, inscribed with Phoenician characters, is regulated according to the standard, hence called Phoenician, of about 56 grs. to the drachm, or 224 grs. to the shekel. Aradus, on the other hand, the most northern town on the Phoenician coast, accommodated her money to the standard which prevailed in Cyprus and Cilicia, striking shekels of about 168 grs. equivalent to three-quarters of the Tyrian and Sidonian shekel.
On the Macedonian conquest all the old coinages, both Persian and Phoenician, were abolished, except at Tyre, and mints were set up by Alexander or his immediate successors at all the chief coast-towns of Phoenicia and Palestine, viz. Marathus, Aradus, Sidon, Tyre, Ace, Joppa, Ascalon, and Gaza, as well as at some of the chief cities of the interior. This Alexandrine coinage lasted down to about B.C. 266, when Ptolemy Philadelphus, who had obtained possession of Phoenicia, established mints of his own at the chief cities along the coasts of Palestine and
Samos, circ. B.C. 140-130 (?).
Head of king, diademed and radiate. [Babelon, p. 217, Pl. XXX. 1.] |
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΑΜΟΥ ΘΕΟΣΕΒΟΥΣ
ΚΑΙ ΔΙΚΑΙΟΥ in ex. ΓΛ Nike advancing. [Hunter]. .6
|
Head of king in pointed head-dress. [Hunter Cat., Pl. LXX. 20.] |
Same inscription. Thyrsos between two
interlaced cornucopias. .85
|
Mithradates I (Callinicus), circ. B.C. 96. Son of Samos.
Head of king in pointed head-dress. [B. M. C., p. 104; Babelon, Pl. XXX. 2.] |
ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ ΚΑΛΛΙ-
ΝΙΚΟΥ Athena standing, holding
Nike. .85
|
Eagle with palm. [Babelon, p. 217, No. 4.] |
Same inscription. Caduceus. [Paris]
.7
|
Eagle with palm. [Babelon, p. 218, No. 5.] |
Same inscription. Palm. [Paris]. .6
|
Mithradates Philhellen Philoromaios, circ. B.C. 92 (?). Son of Mithradates I Callinicus (?).
Head of king in pointed head-dress. | ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩ(ς) ΜΙΘΡΙΔ ΦΙΛΟ[ρω- μαιου ?]. Club. Size .7. [Brit. Mus.; Berlin.] |
(On the attribution see Reinach, L'hist. par les monn., p. 244; the
Antiochus I (Theos), circ. B.C. 69-38 (or 31 ?). Son of Mithradates Callinicus by Laodice Thea Philadelphus, daughter of Antiochus VIII, Grypus, of Syria. Antiochus I struck the following bronze coin :
Bust of king in Armenian tiara on which star between two eagles (cf. tiara of Tigranes). | ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Lion walking. .8
|
On a height of Mount Taurus, now the tumulus of Nemroud Dagh, Antiochus established a sacred precinct and royal mausoleum (B. M. C., p. xliv). On the Nemroud Dagh reliefs he wears an Armenian tiara ornamented with a lion. Another relief shows a star-spangled lion, Antiochus having been born under the zodiacal sign of the Lion.
The successor of Antiochus I was a king, probably his son, named Mithradates, circ. B.C. 31. Reinach (p. 245) supposes the following bronze at Berlin and Paris (Invent. Wadd., p. 447) to have been issued by Antiochus I and Mithradates in conjunction:obv. [ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ] ΑΝ- ΤΙΟΧΟΥ Bust of Antiochus in tiara, rev. ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑ[ΤΟΥ] Humped bull, rushing.
Two or three kings followed Mithradates in rapid succession. In B.C. 20 Augustus placed upon the throne another Mithradates,[1] who was succeeded by his son (or brother) Antiochus III. On the death of this Antiochus in A.D. 17, Commagene became a Roman province, but in 38 Caligula restored the kingdom for the benefit of his friend Antiochus IV, son of Antiochus III.
Antiochus IV of Commagene (Epiphanes), A.D. 38-72. Inscr., ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΜΕΓ[ΑΣ] ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΣ ΕΠΙΦΑ[ΝΗΣ]; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΣ; ΒΑ- ΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΣ.
Head of king diademed. | ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Scorpion within
laurel-wreath. 1.1
|
Id. | ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Capricorn within
laurel-wreath. .9
|
Id. | ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Two cornucopias.
.8
|
The Scorpion was the zodiacal sign under which Commagene stood. Cilicia formed part of the kingdom of this ruler, who issued money at Anemurium, Celenderis, Corycus, Sebaste, Lacanatis, and Cetis. He also struck coins in Lycaonia (B. M. C., p. xlvi, p. 108).
ΒΑΙCΙΛΙCCΑ ΙΩΤΑΠΗ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛ- ΦΟC Bust of Iotape. | ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Scorpion. 1.15
|
1 Reinach (p. 246) attributes doubtfully to this king inscribed ΒΑ(σιλεως) ΜΕ(γαλου) Μ(ιθραδατου) ΤΟΥ Μ(ιθραδατου); type, Crab; cf. Babelon, Rois de Syrie, p. ccxii.
Epiphanes and Callinicus, sons of Antiochus IV and Iotape, struck bronze coins in Commagene, Selinus, Lacanatis, and Lycaonia (B. M. C., p. xlviii).
ΒΑCΙΛЄΩC ΥΙΟΙ Epiphanes and Callinicus on horseback. | ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Capricorn. .8
|
ΒΑCΙΛЄΩC ΥΙΟΙ Anchor between two crossed cornucopias, each containing a youthful head (Epiphanes and Callinicus). | Armenian tiara,
ornamented with scorpion: laurel-
wreath. .8
|
ΒΑCΙΛЄΥC ΜЄΓΑC ЄΠΙΦΑΝΗC Head of Epiphanes. CЄΛΙ (Selinus). | ΒΑCΙΛЄΥC ΜЄΓΑC ΚΑΛΛΙΝΙΚΟC
Head of Callinicus. Paris.
[Cf. B. M. C., p. xlvii.] .9
|
Commagene in genere. Bronze coins of first century A.D. (? circ. A.D. 41, Rev. des tudes gr., 1899, p. 402), struck probably at Samosata (B. M. C., p. xlviii): Capricorn, rev. Scorpion. Capricorn, rev. ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ Armenian tiara. ΠΙΣΤΙΣ, Two hands clasped holding caduceus, rev. ΚΟΜΜΑΓΗΝΩΝ, Anchor.
Antiocheia ad Euphratem (Pliny v. 24). Imperial of M. Aurelius and L. Verus, rev. ΑΝΤΙΟΧЄΩΝ ΠΡΟC ЄΥΦΡΑΤΗΝ, Bust of Athena (B. M. C., p. xlix).
Doliche (Duluk). Imperial of M. Aurelius, L. Verus, and Commodus, rev. ΔΟΛΙΧΑΙΩΝ within wreath.
Germanicia Caesareia (Marash). Imperial, M. Aurelius to Commodus. Inscr., ΚΑΙCΑΡ. ΓЄΡΜΑΝΙΚЄWΝ ΚΟ; ΚΑΙC. ΓЄΡΜΑ. ΚΟΜ. Types City seated, with river-god swimming at her feet; Inscr. in laurel-wreath. (Contrast the coins of Caesareia Germanica in Bithynia.)
Samosata (Samsat), on the Euphrates, the capital of the kings of Commagene. Autonomous bronze of the period of the Commagenian kings (Antiochus I-IV). Inscr., CΑΜΟCΑΤW; CΑΜΟCΑΤΩ ΠΟΛΕΩC. TypesZeus; Lion; City seated on rock; Eagle. Imperial, Hadrian to Philip jun. Inscr., ΦΛΑ. CΑΜΟ. ΜΗΤΡΟ. ΚΟΜ. (i.e. Flavia Samosata Metropolis Commagenes); Φ. CΑΜΟC. ΙЄΡ. ΑCΥ. ΑΥΤΟΝΟ. ΜΗΤΡ. ΚΟΜ.; CΑΜΟCΑΤЄΩΝ. Usual typeCity seated; at her feet, river-god Euphrates or running Pegasos. Era dates from autumn of A.D. 71 (B. M. C., p. 117 n.).
Zeugma, on the right bank of the Euphrates, opposite Apameia (Birejik), both cities founded by Seleucus I and connected by a bridge of boats. Imperial, Trajan to Philip jun. Inscr., ΖЄΥΓΜΑΤЄΩΝ. TypesTetrastyle temple with peribolos encircling the sacred grove (B. M. C., p. li), sometimes with capricorn in ex.; Inscr. in laurel-wreath.
Beroea, now Aleppo (Haleb). Imperial bronze with or without heads of Emperors, Trajan to Antoninus Pius. Rev. ΒЄΡΟΙΑΙWΝ within wreath. Also AR of Macrinus, rev. Eagle (Antioch type), ΒΕ and fantastic bird. (B. M. C., Galatia, &c., p. 132.)
Cyrrhus. Regal bronze of Alexander I, Bala, of Syria (q. v.). Inscr., ΚΥΡΡΗCΤΩΝ, rev. Zeus standing with wreath, also rev. Athena standing holding Nike (B. M. C., p. lii). Imperial, Trajan to Philip jun. Inscr., ΚΥΡΡΗCΤΩΝ, rev. ΔΙΟC ΚΑΤΑΙΒΑΤΟΥ (or ΚΑΤЄΒΑΤΟΥ), Zeus Kataibates seated on rock holding his thunderbolt and sceptre, before him, eagle. Also Temple containing his statue. This Zeus had altars at Olympia, Athens, &c.; rocks and places struck by lightning were regarded as sacred to him (B. M. C., p. lii). Also rev. Inscr. in laurel-wreath. On some later coins, symbol, ram.
Hieropolis (Membij). The ancient name Bambyce was changed to
Hieropolis by Seleucus Nicator, who built a new temple for Atargatis
(Astarte), the great goddess of the city (cf. the treatise De dea Syria).
The following Attic didrachms with Aramaic inscriptions have been
attributed (B. M. C., Galat., p. liii) to Bambyce :(α) Coins of the
sacerdotal dynasty of Abd-Hadad, circ. B.C. 332: Bust of Atargatis, rev.
inscr., Abd-Hadad, King and driver in chariot; Bust of Atargatis
(with name inscribed), rev. Abd-Hadad, Abd-Hadad standing in temple.
(β) Coins with name Alexander [the Great ?]. TypesBust of Atargatis, rev. Lion devouring bull; Bust of Atargatis facing, rev. King and
driver in chariot; Baal enthroned, rev. Atargatis riding on lion;
Warrior on horse, rev. Lion walking, in front, bird perched on flower.
In the second century B.C. there are bronze coins of Antiochus IV
of Syria (q. v.), rev. ΙЄΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, Zeus standing holding wreath.
Quasi-autonomous and Imperial, Trajan to Philip jun. Inscr., ΙЄΡΟ-
ΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ. Types (often accompanied by ΘЄΑC CΥΡΙΑC)Atargatis
riding on lion or enthroned between two lions; Temple, within which,
Roman standard, on one side of the temple, Baal Kevan seated between
two oxen, on the other, Atargatis seated between two lions, inscr., ΘЄΟΙ
CΥΡΙΑC (Imhoof, Gr. M., p. 759, No. 773, cf. No. 772). Also silver
(Antioch class) of Domna, Caracalla (symbol, lion), Macrinus (symbol, lion),
and Diadumenian. Also bronze of Imperial times dated from Seleucid
Era. The inscr. ΘЄΑC CΥΡΙΑC, which frequently appears within a laurel-
wreath and without any type, probably indicates the Festival in
connexion with which the coins bearing it were issued.
Chalcis (Kinnesrin), near Beroea (Aleppo). ImperialTrajan to
L. Verus. Inscr., ΦΛ. ΧΑΛΚΙΔЄWΝ. TypesLaurel-wreath; Standing
figure radiate holding palm-branch, spear, and shield, with inscr. ΗΛΙΟ-
CЄΙΡΟC, Hunter Cat., Pl. LXXI. 27. Date ΚЄ (25) on coins of Trajan
and of Hadrian = A.D. 117, from era beginning A.D. 92.
Palmyra struck small bronze coins without the names or heads of
Emperors. These were probably issued from the first century A.D.
till the time of Sept. Severus and his family. Inscr., when present, ΠΑΛ-
ΜVΡΑ. TypesPalm-tree; Bearded male head in modius, radiate = the
Malachbelos of Palmyra (?); Female figure (Atargatis ?) on lion; Lion
and crescent; Head of Tyche of Palmyra; and other types described by
De Saulcy (see B. M. C., Galat., pp. lvi-lviii). For coins with the heads
of Zenobia and Vaballathus see infra, Egypt under the Romans.
Tetrapolis of Seleucis. The four cities of Antiocheia, Seleuceia,
Apameia, and Laodiceia, all founded by Seleucus I, used a joint bronze
coinage during part of the second century B.C., beginning B.C. 149.
Inscr., ΑΔΕΛΦΩΝ ΔΗΜΩΝ (cf. Strabo, xvi, p. 749 αιπερ και ελεγοντο
αλληλων αδελφαι δια την ομονοιαν). TypesHead of Zeus, rev. Fulmen;
Head of Apollo, rev. Tripod; Bearded heads (? Demoi of Antiocheia and
Seleuceia), rev. Tyche crowning the inscription, or rev. Zeus seated. Dates
according to the Seleucid Era. Mint, apparently Seleuceia (Hunter
Cat., iii. p. 141).
Antiocheia ad Orontem, on the right bank of the Orontes, about
twenty miles from its mouth, was the capital of the Seleucid Empire,
and one of the most splendid cities of the ancient world. It was
a mint-place for the regal coinage of the kings from the time of
Antiochus IV or earlier. In the second century B.C. it shared in the
Tetrapolis coinage (see above), and during the first century B.C. issued
bronze coins dated according to (i) the Seleucid Era, B.C. 312, (ii) the
Caesarian (autumn, B.C. 49), or, possibly, the Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Inscr., ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩΣ, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΜΗ-
ΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ, ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ
ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ, &c. Typesobv. Head of Zeus,
or of Tyche of Antioch; rev. Zeus seated holding Nike; Tripod; Tyche
standing with rudder; Poppy-head with ears of corn. There are silver
coins (weight 240-200 grs.) of M. Antonius and Cleopatra, with portrait-
heads: Cleopatra, ΒΑCΙΛΙCCΑ ΚΛЄΟΠΑΤΡΑ ΘЄΑ ΝЄWΤЄΡΑ, wears
I. SILVER. Tetradrachms weighing at first 236 to 220 grains. From
the time of Caracalla the silver deteriorates, weight 220 to 200 grains
or less. Didrachms and drachms under Nero. The tetradrachm was
tariffed as equivalent to three Roman denarii (B. M. C., Galat.,
p. lxiii). Usual inscr., ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞ (or ЄΞΟΥCΙΑC) ΥΠΑΤΟC ΤΟ Β
(Γ, Δ, &c.)=Trib. Pot. Cos. ii (iii, iv, &c.). Coins of Augustus have
ΕΤΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΣ, with dates of the Era of Actium, B.C. 31; also
ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩΣ, with double dates of the Actian and
Caesarian Eras (B.C. 31 and B.C. 49). ΕΤΟΥΣ ΝΕΟΥ ΙΕΡΟΥ occurs,
Galba to Nerva (Pick, Z. f. N., xiv. 331). On coins of Geta, VΠΑΤΟC
ΑΠΟΔЄΔЄΙΓμενοσ=Consul designatus. On coins of the Philips, MONeta
VRBica or ΑΝΤΙΟΧΙΑ are found. Usual type, Eagle. The type of
the Tyche of Antioch seated on a rock with the river-god Orontes
swimming at her feet (Fig. 343) occurs under Augustus and in some
later reigns. It is found still earlier on the AR of Tigranes, q. v.
These coins reproduce the group of Tyche and Orontes made by
Eutychides of Sicyon, a pupil of Lysippus, and set up at Antioch
soon after the foundation of the city by Seleucus I in B.C. 300. The
marble statue in the Vatican is one of the best reproductions of this
group (B. M. C., Galat., pp. lxi f.).
II. BRONZE. (α) Without heads of emperors. First and second
century A.D., some dated from Actian Era, B.C. 31, but most from the
Caesarian Era, autumn, B.C. 49, which is also found in class (β).
Inscr., ΑΝΤΙΟΧΕΩΝ, and names of the Legati of Syria, also ΑΝ-
ΤΙΟΧЄWΝ ΤΗC ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛЄWC. Types referring to Zeus, Artemis,
Apollo; also Tyche and Orontes group; Running ram looking back
with crescent and star above it (B. M. C., Galat., p. lix); Boule (?)
dropping pebble into urn (ib., Pl. XIX. 11); Tripod with human
heads (Pl. XX. 8). On this quasi-autonomous coinage see Maonald
in N. C., 1904, pp. 105 f., where it is shown that the most remark-
able group belongs to the year A.D. 129, when Hadrian visited Antioch.
Antiocheni ad Daphnen. See supra, p. 763, under Antiochus IV.
Apameia (Kul'at el-Mudk), on the Orontes or an affluent (the Axius),
originally called Pharnake and then Pella. It was renamed by
Seleucus I in honor of his wife Apame. It was a regal mint-place
of Antiochus IV and later Syrian kings (Inscr., ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ
ΠΡΟΣ ΤΩΙ ΑΞΙΩΙ and ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ), and shared in the Tetrapolis
coinage (p. 778, supra). Autonomous , second and first centuries B.C.,
with dates of Seleucid Era, B.C. 312: cf. B. M. C., Galat., p. lxiv, and
Hunter Cat., iii. p. 191. Inscr., ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ, ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ
ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ, ΑΠΑΜΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ. Types
relate to Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Dionysos, Nike. Elephant as
rev. type. B. M. C., p. 233, No. 3, &c.; also rev. Warrior advancing, Ib.
No. 1. Imperial. Imhoof, N. Z., xxxiii, p. 5, attributes the following
to Apameia in the time of Claudius :Head of Zeus, rev. ΚΛΑΥΔ[ΙЄWΝ]
ΑΠ[ΑΜ]ЄWΝ, Goddess of city seated, hand resting on shield, at feet,
Orontes (Axius) (Hunter Cat., iii. Pl. LXXIII. 28). Also with the name
Claudia only :obv. ΚΛΑΥΔΙЄWΝ, Head of Helios; rev. ΚΛΑΥΔΙЄWΝ,
Head of Selene (Imhoof, Zur gr. u. rm. Mnzk., p. 236).
Balanaea (Bnias), on the shore, south of Latakiyeh (B. M. C., Galat.,
p. lxiv; p. 236). This town is thought by M. Rouvier to have been
identical with Leucas (Rev. Biblique, Oct. 1904). Era Seleucid.
III. Chalcidice
[B. M. C., Galatia, &c., p. liv.]
IV. Palmyrene
V. Seleucis and Pieria
FIG. 343.
Female head.
ΒΑΛΑΝΕΩΝ CΥ[ριασ] Zeus seated
holding Nike. Date 104 = B.C.
209/8.
Head of City. [Fox, Engr., ii. p. 30.]
ΒΑΛΑΝΕΩΤΩΝ CΥ Nike standing.
Date 104 = B.C. 209/8.
Also with head of M. Antonius; rev. ΒΑΛΑΝΕΩΤΩΝ CΥ. Indian Dionysos in chariot.
Emisa (Homs), on the Orontes, celebrated for its temple of Elagabal, the Syrian divinity identified by the Romans with Sol and Jupiter. Imperial, Antoninus Pius to Uranius Antoninus. Inscr., ЄΜΙCΗΝΩΝ, and from Caracallas time, ЄΜΙCΩΝ ΚΟΛΩΝΙΑC, or ΜΗΤΡΟ. ΚΟΛ. ЄΜΙCΩΝ. Dates of Seleucid Era. TypesEagle standing on the black conical stone of Elagabal; Great altar of Elagabal richly decorated
Epiphaneia, on the Orontes, the Hamath of the Old Testament, received its Greek name from Antiochus IV, Epiphanes. Autonomous of second century B.C. Inscr., ΕΠΙΦΑΝΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥ- ΛΟΥ. TypesHead of Tyche of city, rev. Zeus seated, holding Nike; Bust of Athena, rev. Apollo standing. Some with dates (of era of Aradus ?) as at Paltus.
Gabala (Jebeleh), south of Laodiceia ad Mare. Inscr., ΓΑΒΑΛΕΩΝ. Autonomous of first century B.C.; obv. Head of Helios; rev. Fore- part of galley and date ΗΚ; obv. Bearded head, rev. Crab and crescent (Imhoof, Zur gr. u. rm. Mnzk., p. 236; B. M. C., Galat., p. 243). ImperialAugustus to Macrinus (or later ?). Era begins B.C. 47. Types chiefly relate to a Syrian goddess (Astarte or Aphrodite ?), who appears seated holding flower, poppy-head, &c. Also Veiled cultus-statue of the same goddess, accompanied by two sphinxes and crescent and star. Also Athena; Owl and sphinx (B. M. C., p. 244; cf. N. Z., xxxiii. p. 6); &c.
Laodiceia ad Mare (Latakiyeh), refounded by Seleucus I and named after his mother Laodice, was an important and well-built city of Syria with an excellent harbor. Second century B.C. Inscr., ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ ΠΡΟΣ (or ΤΩΝ ΠΡΟΣ) ΘΑΛΑΣΣΗΙ. Coins of the Seleucid kings and autonomous , obv. Head of the Tyche of Laodiceia, rev. Nike. Also coins of the Tetrapolis (p. 778, supra). First century B.C. AR tetra- drachms, weight 230-220 grains., obv. Bust of the Tyche, veiled and turreted, rev. Zeus seated holding Nike, all in wreath. Also AR Drachm (56-60 grains) with obv. Bust of Tyche, rev. ΛΑ ΘΕ Aplustre (Imhoof, Zur gr. u. rm. Mnzk., p. 237). , Head of Zeus, rev. Tripod with lebes; Radiate head (Helios?), rev. Artemis huntress; Head of Artemis, rev. Boars head (cf. B. M. C., Galat., p. lxvii); Head of Dionysos, rev. Pharos (ib., p. 250, No. 24). Inscr., ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΟΝΟ- ΜΟΥ, and after B.C. 47 (when Julius Caesar visited Syria and conferred various honors on the cities), ΙΟΥΛΙΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ.
Imperial and Colonial, Augustus to Trebonianus Gallus (or Valerian?). (α) Without name of emperor. first and second century A.D. Inscr., ΙΟΥΛΙЄWΝ ΤWΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΔΙΚЄWΝ. Bust of Athena, rev. Bust of Sarapis. (β) With name of Emperor. Inscr., ΙΟΥΛΙΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ; under Sept. Severus, ΙΟΥΛΛΑΟΔΙCЄΟVΜΗΤΡΟ- ΠΟΛЄWC. From time of Caracalla, inscr., chiefly in Latin, COL. LAOD. METROPOLEOS or LAVDICEON. Types chiefly relate to the Tyche of
Larissa (Kul'at es-Seijr), on the Orontes. Autonomous of first century B.C. Inscr., ΛΑΡΙΣΑΙΩΝ ΤΗΣ. ΙΕΡΑΣ. TypesHead of Zeus, rev. Throne of Zeus; Head of City, rev. Horse walking (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxviii f.).
Nicopolis Seleucidis (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxix). Imperial, Com- modus to Philip. Inscr., ΝЄΙΚΟΠΟΛЄΙΤΩΝ ΤΗC CЄΛЄΥΚΙΔΟC Τ. ΙЄΡΑC; ΝЄΙΚΟΠΟΛЄΙΤΩΝ CЄΛЄΥΚΙΔΟC. TypesWreath; Nemesis in shrine; Artemis (?) and nymph; beneath, river-god, above, Eros flying with torch.
Paltus (Baldeh), between Gabala and Balanaea. Imperial, Septimius Severus to Herenenius Etruscus. Inscr., ΠΑΛΤΗΝΩΝ. TypesDioskuri; Athena; Nike; Bust of J. Domna (?) as Tyche. Era begins in autumn of B.C. 259 or 258 (Imhoof, Rev. Suisse, viii. p. 44 f.; B. M. C., Galat., p. lxx).
Raphanea (Rafniyeh), south-west of Epiphaneia (Hamah). Imperial, Caracalla to Severus Alexander. Inscr., ΡЄΦΑΝЄΩΤΩΝ. Chief type Male figure (Genius of the city ?), seated or standing, holding phiale and cornucopia; in front, bull; on either side, eagle.
Rhosus, on the Gulf of Issus. Autonomous , second and first centuries B.C. Chief typeObv. Head of the Tyche of Rhosus, rev. ΡΩΣΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙЄΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ. Syrian divinity (Hadad ?) horned standing between two recumbent bulls (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxx); cf. similar types described under Dium in Decapolis infra. Also Head of Zeus, rev. ΡΩΣЄΩΝ ΙЄΡΑΣ, Bust of the Tyche. Imperial, Commodus to Caracalla. Inscr., ΡΩCЄΩΝ ΙЄΡΑC, Bust of Artemis or Selene, &c. Era begins B.C. 39 (Maonald, Journ. Internat., 1903, p. 47).
Seleuceia Pieria (Seleukiyeh), the port of Antioch. Founded by Seleucus I, it was a mint of the Syrian kings in the second century B.C. (inscr. on , ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΜ ΠΙΕΡΙΑΙ). Autonomous AR of second and first century B.C. :
Bust of Tyche of Seleuceia. | ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ
ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ Thunderbolt (with
fillet attached) on cushion placed on
stool. AR Tetrad. 230-215 grs.
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Id. | ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ
Thunderbolt. AR Drachm; also 1/2
Drachm with rev. Nike.
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Head of Zeus. [Z. f. N., iii. 350.] | ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ
Thunderbolt. AR Diobol
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Also of second century. Inscr., ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ; ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΕΜ ΓΙΙΕΡΙΑΙ; ΣΕΛΕΥΚΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ. TypesHead of Zeus, rev. Thunderbolt; Head of Apollo, rev. Tripod; Head of Zeus, rev. Three naked Kuretes (Hirsch, Auct. Cat., xiii. 4115). Also of the Tetrapolis, see supra, p. 778. ErasOn the , Seleucid; on the AR are years probably reckoned from the era of the autonomy of the town, beginning B.C. 108 (or 109).
Imperial, Augustus to Severus Alexander. (Tetradrachms were struck under Augustus, and there are also quasi-autonomous of the second century.) Inscr., usually CЄΛЄΥΚЄΩΝ ΠΙЄΡΙΑC, also CЄΛЄΥ- ΚЄΩΝ ΤΗC ΙЄΡΑC ΚΑΙ ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ. TypesThunderbolt on stool or on roof of shrine, each type sometimes with inscr. ΖЄΥC ΚЄΡΑΥ- ΝΙΟC; Sacred stone with shrine, which is surmounted by eagle, or within temple, generally with inscr. ΖЄΥC ΚΑCΙΟC. EraActian (B.C. 31); also (on coin of Augustus) the era of Seleuceia (B.C. 108 or 109). The types (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxi) of this city mainly relate to Zeus Keraunios and to Zeus Kasios, the latter a Semitic divinity identified with Zeus and honored with annual festivals on Mount Kasios, south of Seleuceia. The thunderbolt was a cultus-object of Zeus Keraunos, and, according to one account, was connected with the foundation of the city; cf. Appian, Syr. 58 φασι δε αυτω τας Σελευκειας οικιζοντι, την μεν επι τη θαλασση, διοσημλαν ηγησασθαι κεραυνου και δια τουτο θεον αυτοις κεραυνον εθετο και θρησκευουσι και υμνουσι και νον κεραυνον.
Chalcis sub Libano (Mejdel Anjar), at the foot of Antilibanus (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxiii, cf. liv). This city, together with the neighbouring Heliopolis, the valley of the Marsyas and the mountainous region of Ituraea, constituted a Tetrarchy, the whole or portions of which were governed in the first century B.C. by rulers who took the titles of τετρορχης and αρχιερευς.
Ptolemy, son of Mennaeus, circ. B.C. 85-40.
Head of Zeus, laureate. | ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ Eagle
flying. .85
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Id. | ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ ΚΑΙ
ΑΡΧΙΙΕΡ (sic) Two warriors standing facing, holding spears; laurel-
wreath. .75
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Head of Lysanias, diademed. | ΛΥΣΑΝΙΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΑΡ-
ΧΙΕΡΕΩΣ Athena Nikephoros standing. .75
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From B.C. 36 to 30 the dominions of Lysanias were in the hands of Cleopatra. After her death they were farmed by Zenodorus, who, how- ever, in B.C. 24 lost Batanea, Trachonitis, and Auranitis on their being handed over by Augustus to Herod I. He retained Oulatha and Panea s till his death in B.C. 20.
Zenodorus, son of Lysanias, B.C. 30-20.
Head of Octavian. | ΖΗΝΟΔΩΡΟΥ ΤΕΤΡΑΡΧΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΩΣ Head of Zenodorus. |
With date 87 of an era beginning either B.C. 117 or B.C. 114 (B. M.C., Galat., p. 281).
For later coins of the kingdom of Chalcis see Judaea.
Damascus. The earliest coins are Alexandrine tetradrachms, symbol, forepart of ram (Mller, Nos. 1338-1346), belonging to circ. B.C. 300 or later. Autonomous of second and first centuries B.C. with dates of Seleucid era (cf. Demetrias). Inscr., ΔΑΜΑΣΚΗΝΩΝ. TypesHead of Tyche; Tyche standing; Ram; Stag; &c. (see De Saulcy, Terre- Sainte, p. 30 f.). On Damascus as a probable mint of the later Seleucid kings see supra, p. 772, and as a mint of the Nabathaean kings see under Arabia, p. 811.
Imperial, Augustus to Severus Alexander. Inscr., ΔΑΜΑCΚΗΝWΝ; ΔΑΜΑCΚΗΝWΝ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛЄWC; ΔΑΜΑCΚΟV ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛЄΟC; ΔΑΜΑCΚΟV ΙЄΡΑC ΚΑΙ ЄΝΔΟΞΟV. Colonial, Philip I to Gallienus. Inscr., COL ΔΑΜAS METRO. Types (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxv; De Saulcy, op. cit.), chiefly representations of the Tyche of Damascus. Also, the river-god Chrysoroas (Barada) reclining, inscribed ΠΗΓΑΙ (Fig. 344) (cf. De Saulcy, p. 47, No. 9; Imhoof, Nymphen, p. 170, No. 470;
Heliopolis (Baalbek). Colonial, Sept. Severus to Gallienus (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxvii; De Saulcy. op. cit., p. 6). Inscr., COL. HEL. COLL IVL AVG FEL HEL. TypesTemple of Jupiter Heliopolitanus with inscr. I O M H = Jovi optimo maximo Heliopolitano; Propylaeum of the same temple, I O M H ; Temple on rock approached by lofty staircase; Mercury (the triad of Heliopolitan divinities consisted of Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury: Perdrizet, Comptes rendus de l'Acad. des inscr., 1901, p. 128); Bust of the Tyche; the Tyche standing, on each side a standing figure and two Victories holding veil over her head; Two figures (of Herakles?) each holding club and stag(?) (Brit. Mus.); Two naked figures each holding vexillum and stag (?) (Brit. Mus.); Three agonistic crowns, inscr. CERT SACR CAP OEC ISE HEL = Certamina Sacra Capitolina Oecumenica Iselastica Heliopolitana; Two athletes supporting crown; Athlete drawing lots from urn.
Besides the above described there are billon tetradrachms of J. Domna, and of Caracalla, of the Antiochene class, rev. Eagle, ΔΗΜ ΑΡΧ &c.; symbol, bust of Helios.
Laodiceia ad Libanum, on the Orontes (De Saulcy, T. S., p. 3 f.; cf. B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxviii). Imperial, Sept. Severus to Caracalla. Inscr., ΛΑΟΔΙΚЄΩΝ ΠΡΟC ΛΙΒΑΝΩ. Chief Type, ΜΗΝ standing beside horse.
Leucas on the Chrysoroas (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxviii). Imperial, Claudius to Gordian III (some without emperors heads). Inscr., ΛΕΥ- ΚΑΔΙΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΚΛΑΥΔΙΑΙΩΝ; ΚΛΑΥΔΙΕΩΝ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΕΥΚΑ- ΔΙΩΝ; ΛΕΥΚΑΔΙΩΝ, &c. TypesEmperor standing in quadriga; Herakles; Nike; River-god ΧΡΥCΟΡΟΑC. Eras(i) Beginning B.C. 38-7; (ii) A.D. 48.
Posidium (el-Bouseit), on a bay at the south-west base of Mount Casius. The following small coin has been attributed to this town (cf. B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxix) :Obv. Baal seated holding grapes; in field, fulmen. Rev. ΠΟΣΙ[Δ]..... Bearded head in pilos. AR Size .55. Wt. 64.7 grains.
Caesareia Panias (Banias), at the foot of Mount Hermon (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxx f.). This city, at first called Panias, formed part of the tetrarchy of Zenodorus (see Chalcis sub Libano). In B.C. 20 it was
coins of Augustus (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxx), with rev. C A within wreath (= Caesareia Augusta ?), have been attributed, with little probability, to Caesareia Panias, for these pieces are found not only in Palestine but also in Asia Minor (near Smyrna) and in Hayling Island, England, and C A may mean Commune Asiae, i.e. κοινον Ασιας (Froehners Mlanges d'epigr., 1875, p. 76), or simply Caesar Augustus (Th. Reinach).
Gaba, probably identical with the Gabe of Pliny, v. 18 (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxxii; p. 300). Imperial, Titus to Caracalla. Inscr., ΚΛΑΥΔΙ. ΦΙΛΙΠ. ΓΑΒΗΝΩΝ; ΓΑΒΗΝΩΝ. Usual type, Mn standing. Dates of era of Gaba beginning B.C. 61 (or B.C. 60?).
Abila (Abl), twelve miles east of Gadara. Imperial, M. Aurelius to Caracalla (De Saulcy, T. S., p. 309 f.). Inscr., CΕ. ΑΒΙΛΗΝΩΝ Ι. Α. Α. Γ. ΚΟΙ. CΥ (= CЄΛЄΥΚΕΩΝ ΑΒΙΛΗΝΩΝ ΙЄΡΑC ΑCΥΛΟΥ ΑΥΤΟΝΟ- ΜΟΥ ΓΝΩΡΙΜΟΥ (?) ΚΟΙΛΗC CΥΡΙΑC); CЄ. ΑΒΙΛΗΝΩΝ ΚΟΙ. CΥ. TypesHerakles; Cornucopia; Bunch of grapes (cf. Euseb. πολις οινοφορος); Temple flanked by towers. Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Antiocheia ad Hippum (Hippus). Site at Khurbet Ssyeh, on the east of the Lake of Gennesaret (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxxiii). Imperial, Nero to Caracalla. Inscr., ΑΝΤΙΟΧ. ΠΡ. ΙΠ. ΙЄΡ. ΑCΥΛΟ; ΙΠΠΗΝΩΝ. TypesTyche of the city holding horse; Horse standing; Horses head; Pegasos (Rev. Suisse, 1908, pp. 127, 128). Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Canata or Canatha (Kunawt). See B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxxiv. Imperial, Claudius to Commodus. Inscr., ΚΑΝΑΤΗΝΩΝ; ΚΑΝΑΘΗ- ΝΩΝ ΓΑΒЄΙΝ. (the epithet Gabinia was probably derived from Gabinius the Proconsul of Syria). TypesTyche of the city; Head of Athena; Dionysos; Head of Zeus (probably the Ζευς μεγιστος of Canata); Astarte standing. Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Dium (Eidun ?), near Pella. Imperial, Caracalla and Geta. Inscr., ΔЄΙΗΝΩΝ. TypeHadad? (cf. Rev. arch., 1894, pt. 2, p. 250), horned, standing between two bulls. A somewhat similar type occurs on other Syrian coins, at Rhosus, Hieropolis in Cyrrhestica, Neapolis in Samaria, and on tetradrachms of Antiochus XII (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxxv). Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Gadara (Umm Keis), south-east of the Sea of Galilee, was rebuilt by Pompey circ. B.C. 63 and made a free city. Autonomous First century B.C. Obv. Head of Tyche, rev. ΓΑΔΑΡЄWΝ, Cornucopia and date 18 [Brit. Mus.]. Imperial, Augustus to Gordian III. Inscr., ΓΑΔΑΡЄΙΣ; ΓΑΔΑΡΑ; ΓΑΔΑΡЄWΝ; ΠΟΜΠΗΙЄWΝ ΓΑΔΑΡЄWΝ (or abbreviated), also with addition of Ι (=ΙЄΡΑC) Α (= ΑCΥΛΟΥ) Α (= ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΟΥ) Γ (= ?). Κ. CΥ (= ΚΟΙΛΗC CΥΡΙΑC). Types Bust of Tyche; Bust of Herakles; Two cornucopia; Zeus in temple; Male figure between two lions (De Saulcy. T. S., p. 303, No. 8); Galley with rowers and inscr. ΝΑΥΜΑ ? (= ναυμαχια). Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Gerasa (Jerash). Imperial, Hadrian to Severus Alexander. Types relate to Artemis as Tyche of the city, with inscr. ΑΡΤЄΜΙC ΤΥΧΗ ΓЄΡΑCΩΝ (B. M.C., Galat., p. lxxxviii; N. C., 1900, p. 295). Coins of M. Aurelius and L. Verus are inscribed ΑΝ. ΤΩ. ΠΡ. ΧΡ. ΤΩ. ΠΡ. ΓЄ. (= Αντιοχεων των προς Χρυσοροα (the local river) των προτερον Γερασηνων). The name of Antioch borne by Gerasa is known also from lapidary inscriptions of the second century A.D. (Perdrizet in Revue biblique, July, 1900, p. 441; cf. Rev. Num., 1900, p. 487).
Pella (Tubukat el Fahil), about twenty miles south of the Sea of Galilee. Imperial, Commodus, Lucilla, and Elagabalus (De Saulcy, T. S., p. 291 f.). Inscr., ΠЄΛΛΑΙΩΝ. TypesAthena; Male figure standing holding phiale; Tyche of City seated, and River-god [Brit. Mus.]. Era, Pompeian (B.C. 64).
Philadelpheia (Amman), the Rahbath-Ammon of the Old Testament. The city as it existed in the third century B.C. was rebuilt and renamed by Ptolemy Philadelphus. Imperial, Hadrian to Severus Alexander (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxxix). Inscr., ΦΙΛΑΔЄΛΦЄΩΝ ΚΟΙΛΗC CΥΡΙΑC; ΦΙΛ. ΚΟΙ. CΥΡΙ. Types relate chiefly to the Tyrian Herakles; Bust of Herakles; Four-horse car of Herakles, ΗΡΑΚΛЄΙΟΝ ΑΡΜΑ, doubtless employed in festal processions to carry cultus-objects, like the ΙЄΡΑ ΑΠΗΜΗ of Ephesian coins (supra, p. 577); Bust of ΘЄΑ ΑCΤЄΡΙΑ, the mother of the Tyrian Herakles.
Please add updates or make corrections to the NumisWiki text version as appropriate. Syria, a maritime region of Asia, the most interesting as well in a religious as in an historical sense, of any in the world. It anciently included Phoenicia and below it Palaestina, (the latter afterwards called the Holy Land, as having been the country of our Blessed Saviour's nativity, the theatre of his miracles and labors of love, the scene of his passion, death, burial, glorious resurrection and ascension.) Syria was bounded by Cilicia on the north, by Arabia and the river Euphrates on the east, by Arabia and Egypt on the south, and by the Mediterranean on the west. This magnificent region had, for ages before its subjugation by republican Rome, been governed by a succession of independent kings, conspicuous among whom were the Seleucidae. The epoch when Syria became a Roman province is not precisely known ; probably it was Pompey the Great who reduced it to that condition, as he appears to have invested its municipal authorities with the privilege of coining money (autonomes). It stands afterwards recorded amongst the provinces of the empire, under Julius Caesar and Augustus ; and its famous city Antioch, (where Christians were first distinguished by that appellation,) situate on the Orontes, was by succeeding emperors made not only its metropolis, but also the metropolis of the whole East.-- The Syrians were especially devoted to the worship of the Sun ; at the same time acknowledging Jupiter and Apollo as the chief, if not only, divinities.-- The Genius Urbis is represented on Imperial colonial coins of cities in this province, particularly those of the first rank, under the form of a woman with turreted head.-- See Vaillant's Num. Imp. in Col. ; also the words Antioch and Astarte. |