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Neapolis, Campania, Italy, c. 340 - 317 B.C.
Before it was refounded as Neapolis (meaning "new city"), Naples was called Parthenope, named for the siren Parthenope, the daughter of the river-god Achelous and the Muse Terpsichore. Parthenope cast herself into the sea and drowned when her songs failed to entice Odysseus. Her body washed ashore at Naples. When people from the city of Cumae settled there, they named their city Parthenope in her honor. Roman myth tells a different tale, in which a centaur called Vesuvius was enamored with Parthenope. In jealousy, Zeus turned the centaur into a volcano and Parthenope into the city of Naples. Thwarted in his desire, Vesuvius's anger is manifested in the mountain's frequent eruptions.GI91798. Silver didrachm, SNG BnF 683 (same dies); SNG ANS 302; SNG Cop 391; BMC Italy p. 96, 27; HN Italy 565; HGC 1 450 (R1), F, nice face on the bull, toned, centered on a tight flan, scratches, die wear, Neapolis (Naples, Italy) mint, weight 6.944g, maximum diameter 21.5mm, die axis 90o, c. 340 - 317 B.C.; obverse diademed head of the siren Parthenope right, wearing pendant earring and pearl necklace, E (control symbol) behind neck; reverse river-god Acheloios as a man-faced bull standing right, head turned facing, Nike above flying right and placing wreath on bull's head, N below; SOLD
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