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Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, 175 - 164 B.C.
The villain of Hanukkah. Antiochos IV assumed divine epithets, which no other Hellenistic king had done, such as Theos Epiphanes (God Manifest). His subjects made a pun on his name, calling him Epimanes (madman). In 168 B.C., Antiochus IV ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. The Temple in Jerusalem was seized and dedicated to Zeus. The Jews revolted and after three years of fighting, Judah Maccabee defeated the Seleukid army. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Temple in 165 B.C. According to the Talmud, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, enough time to prepare and consecrate fresh oil.GY111126. Bronze hemichalkon, Houghton-Lorber II 1489(2)f; Le Rider Suse pl. lxxiv, 12 - 14; HGC 9 638a (S), aVF, dark patina, highlighting red earthen deposits, tight flan, obv. off center, weight 3.466 g, maximum diameter 13.8 mm, die axis 0o, Samarian(?) mint, c. 168 - 164 B.C.; obverse radiate head of Antiochos IV right, A over X behind head; reverse Goddess seated left on high-backed throne, Nike in right hand, bird standing left at feet, BAΣIΛEΩΣ (king) downward on right, ANTIOXOY downward on left, Λ (control) under throne; scarce; $90.00 (€90.90)
Ionia, c. 600 - 550 B.C.
In Greek mythology, the Sirens were dangerous creatures, who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. In early Greek art, Sirens were represented as birds with large women's heads, bird feathers, and scaly feet. Later, they were represented as female figures with the legs of birds, with or without wings, playing a variety of musical instruments, especially harps. Later Sirens were sometimes depicted as beautiful women, whose bodies, not only their voices, were seductive.SH84464. Electrum Hemihekte (1/12 Stater), Unpublished in major references; Naville auction VII (1924), Bement Collection, lot 1435; CNG, Triton XI (8 Jan 2008), lot 253, aEF, tight flan, earthen deposits, weight 1.367 g, maximum diameter 8.8 mm, Ionia, uncertain mint, c. 600 - 550 B.C.; obverse siren standing left; reverse incuse square punch; ex Numismatica Ars Classica, auction 92, part 2 (24 May 2016), lot 1476; this type is not published in the major references but many examples are known from auctions; rare; SOLD