Numismatic and History Discussion Forums > Parthian and Other Eastern Coins Discussion Forum
The Probable (It Seems to Me) Origin of the Parthian Seated Archer
ThatParthianGuy:
An interesting thesis. Another influence on the depiction of Arsakes I could be Seleukid issues from Ekbatana, Iran, issued by Antiochos I Soter. Apollo was depicted on the reverse, testing an arrow and seated on an omphalos. I've attached an example. Later Parthian issues from Ekbatana sometimes depicted Arsakes I on an omphalos rather than a throne, an example of which I've also attached. I see a lot of other artistic influence between Seleukid and Parthian coinage in general, like the orientation of the legend and the position of the legs of Apollo and Arsakes.
-TPG
n.igma:
--- Quote from: Schatz on May 16, 2017, 09:50:32 am ---..... Strange that it is shown without a back on the early Parthians. Later, especially on the tetradrachms, we get the complete throne.
--- End quote ---
The backless depiction is that of the Field Chair of the Persian kings as opposed to the high backed depiction of the Throne of the Perisan Kings.
The Field Chair rather than the Throne accompanied the Great King when on military campaign. It is more likely that the Great King would have inspected his weaponry seated on his Field Chair rather than his Throne in the throne room, so the that the depiction on the early Parthian coinage is consistent with the historical reality, a point perhaps lost on later generations.
For a discussion of the difference, its origins and the influence on the coinage of Alexander III the Great refer to Zervos, O. H. 1979. Near Eastern elements in the tetradrachms of Alexander III the Great: The Eastern mints. Greek Numismatics and Archaeology Essays in Honor of Margaret Thompson. Morkholm O. and Waggoner N. eds. pp. 295-305.
Kamnaskires:
Great info, n.igma. Thanks! I am convinced, then, that Datames, in his Persian field chair, was the primary model for the reverses in the initial output by Parthia – meaning the reverses of Arsakes I and II. But I agree with you, ThatParthianGuy, as well as with Shore (see the quote in the OP), that the Seleukid Apollo-on-omphalos influenced the subsequent renditions of the motif starting, it seems, with Mithradates I. Thanks, all, for the comments!
Schatz:
Yes, upon re-examination in enlargement clearly a chair, especially in the third Datamas coin. And the object in the right upper filed of the rev. is not the Ahura Mazda symbol but something similar looking described as a winged solar disc.
I am intrigued by the shawl like piece of cloth that is slung over the left shoulder. Some years ago I had wondered what the strange object on the early Parthian dr reverses (mostly Mithr. II.), Shore's symbol #83, (cf pics.) could be, and we had not come to a conclusion in the postings. Perhaps the Datamas coins are the clue to that question and the Parthian object is something like a withered shawl.
This is a very interesting thread. Thanks to all who contributed their knowledge.
Schatz
Constantine IV:
(A repost from another forum where Bob posted this, thought members here who are not on that one might find some interest in this)
Really interesting post Bob.
Certainly the Hellenic celators in the main cities of the Iranian world would determine what the Parthians got in terms of the artistry of their coinage.
The gesture of Datames looks to be in the standard depiction of Iranian rulers making vows, including the garb, of that period and earlier, such as the depiction of king Cyaxares of Media at his tomb in qyzqapan in Iraqi Kurdistan.
I made a depiction of him as there are few (for understandable security reasons. Luckily on a visit to Erbil in 2008 the airlines magazine had a "better" photo of this site which I used to draw from) photos of this tomb available that clearly show it.
Cyaxares reigned over 200 years prior to Datames regional rule in Cappadocia.
Note the clothing (Bashlyk) and the holding a bow with his left hand, whilst he gestures/salutes to an altar with is right.
(I did not draw the other king that is shown standing on the other side of the altar. He is in a similar pose, gesturing/saluting the altar with right hand and holding top of bow with left, but slightly different clothing. He is thought to be king Alyattes of Lydia.)
The artistry of the sculptural work on his tomb looks to be Mesopotamian or even Lydian rather than Hellenic.
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