Altar type at Cyzicus

[wandigeaux (1940 - 2010)]

I recently acquired a bronze of Trajan from Cyzicus which seems to depict an altar enclosure on the reverse, with closed door, surmounted by a statue of a figure in a dragon-powered biga (conjectured by the seller to be Triptolemos--probably on the basis of the hekte reproduced below; Demeter with her torches in the same vehicle is also very possible as she frequently appears on such reverses).  There are several similar but not identical reverses with an altar structure topped with statuary, all apparently connected with Demeter.  Price & Trell (I have lost my copy) apparently (p. 109ff.) regard these not as permanent buildings, but temporary cult constructions for the celebration of the mysteries of Demeter and Kore (and I suppose dismantled after the conclusion of the festival) with a false, non-functioning doorway.  The coins would have been distributed during the course of the festivities.

I include another coinof mine depicting an altar, from Parium, with a similar grouping of statuary at the top; perhaps the Cyzicus types could throw some light on what they actually depict.

Trajan, Cyzicus, AE28 (14.35g).  Not in the major references.
Laureate bust right
AVT NE_R TRAIANOC KAICAR CEB GER DAK

Altar surmounted by statue of dragon biga left, the top of  the altar decorated with grape clusters and bucrania (??), flanked by two serpent entwined torches
EPI IOVL GLAVKOV CTR KVZIKH

I would, as always, appreciate any comments on this.  I would have written more, but I have started and lost this post four times already, and am ready to settle for this before I lose it for the fifth time.  Thanks, George Spradling

[Steve Minnoch]

I'll be shortly sending you some pages from Price & Trell, Coins & Their Cities which I think will help you.

Steve

[wandigeaux (1940 - 2010)]

Indeed they did!  Your generosity in sharing the fruits of your library is certainly appreciated.  You are forgiven for regularly outbidding me at the last minute in the past!  But cursed be he who stole my book!  George

[wandigeaux (1940 - 2010)]

There seems to be no mention in Price & Trell of the temporary nature of these structures, but quite the reverse; this seems to be the invention of the cataloger of the German auction house from which I got the example in CoinArchives.  They are clearly not simple altars, but much more interesting manifestations of the mystery cults of Cyzicus!  George S.

[Bacchus]

"I would have written more, but I have started and lost this post four times already, and am ready to settle for this before I lose it for the fifth time"

Hi George,

If I know that my post is going to be long (especially if there are pictures to attach) I tend to write it in Word first (I need the spell checker anyway) - then just cut and paste.

Malcolm