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Image search results - "Abdera"

Metapontum, Lucania, c. 340 - 330 B.C.
|Italy|, |Metapontum,| |Lucania,| |c.| |340| |-| |330| |B.C.|, NEWLeukippos (or Leucippus) was a son of king Oinomaos of Pisa. He fell in love with the nymph Daphne and disguised himself as a girl to join her company. When she discovered his true identity in the bath, he was slain by the nymphs. Based on this portrait, his plan was doomed from the start.

Another Leukippos, unrelated to the coin, was a philosopher in the first half of 5th century B.C. This Leukippos was the first Greek to develop the theory of atomism; the idea that everything is composed entirely of various imperishable, indivisible elements called atoms. His theory was elaborated in far greater detail by his pupil and successor, Democritus. Leukippos was born in Miletus or Abdera.
GS110591. Silver nomos, Johnson-Noe B3.15 (same dies); SNG Fitzwilliam 497 (same); Historia Numorum Italy 1576; SNG ANS 443, VF, fine style, toned, areas weakly struck, irregularly shaped flan, Metapontion (Metaponto, Italy) mint, weight 7.812g, maximum diameter 22.5mm, die axis 315o, c. 340 - 330 B.C.; obverse ΛEYKIΠΠOΣ (clockwise from above), head of Leucippus right, bearded, wearing Corinthian helmet with a plain bowl, dog (control symbol) seated left behind; reverse barley ear, stalk and leaf on right, bird with open wings on leaf, META upward on left, AMI below leaf; from the CEB Collection, Ex: Numismatic Fine Arts, Inc, Summer Bid Sale, June 27, 1986, lot 45.paul1888

0675 THRACE, Abdera. Hadrian, young beardless bustReference.
RPC III, 675/13; C-N 909-16 (dies unlisted); Varbanov 21 var Münzer/Strack, Thrakien, S. 119, 252

Obv. ΑΥΤΟ ΤΡⲰΙΑΝ -Α[ ] (sic)
Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right

Rev. ΑΥ ΤΡΑ ΘΕ ΔΙ ΑΒΔΗΡΙΤΗ
Laureate, draped and cuirassed male head, r., seen from rear

4.40 gr
17 mm
6h

Note.
CNG Auction 406 lot 596
From the Belgica Collection. Ex Peus 403 (27 April 2011), lot 335 okidoki

0675 THRACE, Abdera. Hadrian, young beardless bustReference.
RPC III, 675/14;

Rev. ΑΥ ΤΡΑ ΘΕ ΔΙ ΑΒΔΗΡΙΤΗ
Laureate, draped and cuirassed male head, r., seen from rear

Obv. ΑΥΤΟ ΤΡΑ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ
Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right

2.43 gr
19 mm
6hokidoki

0676 THRACE, Abdera Hadrian, young beardless bustReference.
RPC III, 676; Chryssanthaki 917-30

Obv: ΑΥΤΟ ΤΡΑ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС ΚΑΙСΑΡ.
Laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right.

Rev: ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑ ΘΕω ΔΙ ΑΒΔΗΡΙΤΗ.
Diademed and draped male bust right.

2.79 gr
16 mm
7hokidoki

0677 THRACE, Abdera. Hadrian, young beardless bustReference.
RPC III, 677; Verbanov 22; AMNG II 252; BMC Thrace -; SNG Copenhagen -; Lindgren-

Obv. ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΘ ΔΙΑΒΔεΡΙΤ
Laureate and draped bust of Hadrian right

Rev. ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΘεΔΙΑΒΔεΡΙΤ
Laureate, draped and cuirassed male head, r., seen from rear

5.37 gr
20 mm
hokidoki

399-200 BC - Abdera, Thrace - Head In Square Obverse - Griffin ReverseAbdera, Thrace
Date: 4th or 3rd Century BC
Condition: Fair
Size: AE13

Obverse: ABÎ”IRITEÎ©N
Young male head in linear square.

Reverse: Griffin seated right.
Inscription below?

3.94g; 13.9mm; 330°Pep

AbderaAbdera, Thrace. AR Obol (9 mm, 0.50 g), c. 475-450 BC.
Obv. Griffin seated left, forepaw raised.
Rev. Head of eagle left within incuse square.
May, Abdera, 125.

Rare. Good very fine.areich

Abdera - AR hemiobol475-448 BC
forepart of gryffin left
scallop shell within insuce square
May 198-9; SNG Copenhagen 319
0,2g 6mm
ex SolidusJ. B.

Abdera - AR obol473-448 BC
seated griffin left rising leg
quadripartite incuse square
May 191; SNG Cop. 312 ff.
0,6g 9mm
ex SolidusJ. B.

Abdera AEObv: Griffin lying right on club.
Rev: Male head right within linear square.
Date: Circa 350-323 BC
Mint: Abdera
Weight: 2.9g
Ref: SNG Cop. 374 (var.)
Diam: 11mmoa

Abdera griffinAbdera, Thrace, 4th century BC. 15 mm, 4.05 g. Obverse: Griffin lying right on club. Reverse: ABD - HRI - TE - WN; male head right within linear square. Cf. AMNG 218. ex areich, photo credit areichPodiceps

Abdera griffin, AE 10Abdera, griffin / quadripartite square, AE10. Abdera, Thrace, ca. 390 - 352 BC
10mm, 1.3g. magistrate Hermonaktos. obv: griffin seated left, right forepaw raised
rev: EPMONAKTWN; quadripartite linear frame with pellet within each quarter. ex areich, photo credit areichPodiceps

Abdera of Thrace GriffinThrace, Abdera
AE 17mm
Ob: Griffin recumbent on club
Rv: ABDHRITE?N - legend around head of Apollo in square
385-375 BC
Ref: BMC 3 Thrace Abdera 83v, SNG Cop 374var

Scotvs Capitis

Abdera tetrobol, Griffin/ DionysosTHRACE. Abdera. Circa 386/385 - 375 BC. AR Tetrobol (14mm - 2.59 g). Griffin left / Wreathed head of Dionysos right within linear square. May 405-419; SNG Copenhagen 332. VF, obverse a little rough. Ex VauctionsPodiceps

Abdera Thrace Silver TetrobolAbdera Thrace circa 365 - 345 BC
Silver Tetrobol 2.2 gram.
May 552cf
Abdera, Thrace AR Drachm. Circa 365-345 BC. Magistrate Pythodoros. Griffin springing left / EΠI ΠYΘO..., laureate head of Apollo right within square frame. _10000

Antonivs Protti

Abdera, Ar Drachm, c. 386/5 - 375 B.C. Magistrate Romnemon.Obv:– Griffin seated left
Rev:– PO-MN-EM-ON, Kantharos in square.
Minted in Abdera, Period VII c. 386/5 - 375 B.C.
Reference:– May 440, Group CXVI. Magistrate Romnemon. Same dies citing 3 examples, Oxford (ex May, ex Spink (1947) ex Kedros (1938)), Berlin, Lischine
2.39g, 14.44mm, 180o2 commentsmaridvnvm

Abdera, Ar Stater, 365 - 345 B.C. Magistrate Pytheos.Obv:– ABDH-RITEWN , Griffin seated left, raising right foreleg.
Rev:– EPI PU-QEW, Laureate head of Apollo right.
Minted in Abdera, 365 - 345 B.C. Magistrate Pytheos.
Reference:– May 549 (May S. 293 und Taf. XXIV, 549. AMNG 156 und Taf. III, 13)

Old edge chip between 9 o'clock and 11 o'clock probably accounts for the slightly low weight

9.10g, 22.52mm, 45 degreesmaridvnvm

Abdera, Ar triobol, 352 - 323 B.C. Magistrate Romnemon.Obv:– Griffin seated left, club beneath, HPA above (Magistrate).
Rev:– ABD-HRI-TE-WN, Laureate head of Apollo right in square.
Minted in Abdera, VIIIth period. 352 - 323 B.C. (AMNG)
Reference:– May -. AMNG II, 204, pl. III, #15
1.57g, 15.29mm, 0omaridvnvm

Abdera, griffin / quadripartite square, AE10Abdera, Thrace, ca. 390 - 352 BC
10mm, 1.3g
magistrate Hermonaktos
obv: griffin seated left, right forepaw raised
rev: EPMONAKTWN; quadripartite linear frame with pellet within each quarterareich

Abdera, Silver DrachmSilver drachm
Obv:– Griffin springing left.
Rev:– GR-W-TH-S, laureate head of Apollo left in linear square, within incuse square
Minted in Abdera, 365 - 345 B.C.
Reference:– May 324

Ex-Forum6 commentsmaridvnvm

Abdera, Thrace345-323 B.C.
Bronze Æ 15
2.98 gm, 15 mm
Obv.: Griffin seated right on club; EYAN (magistrate) below
Rev.: Laurate head of Apollo right within square border; ABÎ”-HPI-TE-Î©N around
BMC 3, 82; Sear 1558 var.;
Strack 216 var.; SNG Cop 374 var. 2 commentsJaimelai

Abdera, Thrace480-465 B.C.
Silver Obol
0.64 gm, 9 mm
Obv.: Griffin seated left, right foreleg raised
Rev.: Rough quadripartite incuse square
BMC 3, 14; Sear 1533; May 120; SNG Cop 312-314 1 commentsJaimelai

Abdera, Thrace400-350 B.C.
Bronze Æ 18
4.80 gm, 18.5 mm
Obv.: Griffin, with pointed wing, recumbent left; ABÎ”H above, RITÎ©N below
Rev.: EÎ“IIE PON ... OÎ£ written round linear square, within which, laurate head of Apollo right
BMC 3, p.75, 90Jaimelai

Abdera, Thrace352-323 BC
AE Dichalkon (14.5mm, 4.19g)
O: Griffin lying right on club; [star] above, MENAN (magistrate) below.
R: Laureate head of Apollo right within linear square; AB∆-HPI-TE-[ΩN] around.
SNG Cop 374; AMNG II 221; BMC Thrace 75; 83v (MEN)
ex Forvm Ancient Coins

“Beware of the sharp-beaked hounds of Zeus that do not bark, the Grypes (Griffins) who dwell about the flood of Plouton's stream that flows with gold. Do not approach them.”
~ Aeschylus (Prometheus Bound) 1 commentsEnodia

Abdera, Thrace TetrobolAR Tetrobol
Size: 16mm, Weight: 2.87 grams, Die Axis: 3h

Abdera, Thrace
411 - 375 BCE

Obverse: Griffin to left, forelegs raised.

Reverse: Wreathed bust of Dionysos to left, MOΛΠAΓOPHΣ around, all within linear frame and shallow incuse square.

References: May 419 (A290/P340), SNG Cop 333

Notes:
-Abdera was was repopulated by citizens from Teos circa 544 BCE, who brought with them the griffin symbol. The griffin on coins from Teos face right, and on coins from Abdera, left.
-The worship of Dionysos appears to have been important in Abdera, and may have been reinforced by the pre-existence of the cult among the native Thracian population.

Purchased from Harlan J. Berk, 20182 commentsPharsalos

Abdera, Thrace, 385-375 BC, AE 14mmAbdera, Thrace, 385-375 BC.
Obv. ABDIPITEWN, Young male head in linear square.
Rev. QEUDE below Griffin seated right.
Ref. Moushmov 2443.Lee S

Abdera, Thrace. ca 425-352 BCÆ 10mm. Griffin seated left / EPI DIONUSADOS, quartered square with four pellets.
SNG Copenhagen 371v. BMC 85Dino

Ancient Greek Coin Collection From Sixth to First Centuries B.C.Here are the coins I started collecting from 2012 to present. As Aristotle wrote two millennia ago that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, there is no better way to present a collection of Greeks than to put them all together in a single shot. (Please click on picture for bigger resolution and to show greater details on coins).

Top row from left to right: AEOLIS, MYRINA. AR "Stephanophoric" Tetradrachm. Circa 150 BC**ILLYRIA, DYRRHACHION. AR Stater. Circa 340-280 BC**IONIA, SMYRNA. AR “Stephanophoric” Tetradrachm. Circa 150-145 BC** PELOPONNESOS, SIKYON. AR Stater. Circa 335-330 BC**ATTICA, ATHENS. “New style” Tetradrachm. Circa 169 BC.

Fifth row: BACTRIA, Antialkidas. AR Drachm. Circa 145-135 BC**CAPPADOCIA. Ariobarzanes I AR Drachm. Circa 96-63 BC**THRACE, ABDERA. AR Tetrobol. Circa 360-350 BC**THRACE, CHERSONESSOS. AR Hemidrachm. Circa 386-338 BC.

Fourth row: LUCANIA, METAPONTION. AR Stater. Circa 510-480 BC**THESSALIAN LEAGUE. AR Stater. Circa 196-146 BC**MACEDONIA. Kassander AR Tetradrachm. Circa 317-315 BC**AKARNANIA, LEUKAS. AR Stater. Circa 320-280 BC**PAMPHYLIA, ASPENDOS. AR Stater. Circa 330-300 BC.

Third row: SELEUKID SYRIA. Antiochos VI AR Drachm. Circa 144-143 BC**LUCANIA, METAPONTION. AR Stater. Circa 340-330 BC**LUCANIA, VELIA. AR Stater. Circa 280 BC**PARTHIA. Mithradates II AR Drachm. Circa 121-91 BC.

Second row: MYSIA, PERGAMMON. Eumenes I AR Tetradrachm. Circa 263-241 BC**CILICIA, TARSOS. Mazaios AR Stater. Circa 361-334 BC**THRACE. Lysimachos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 297-281 BC**CILICIA, TARSOS. Pharnabazos AR Stater. Circa 380-374 BC**THRACE, MARONEIA. AR Tetradrachm. Mid 2nd cent. BC.

Bottom row: SELEUKID SYRIA. Antiochos Euergetes VII AR Tetradrachm. Circa 138-129 BC**MACEDON. Alexander III AR Tetradrachm. Circa 325-315 BC**CILICIA, AIGEAI. AR Tetradrachm. Circa 30 BC**PAIONIA. Patraos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 335-315 BC**PAMPHYLIA, SIDE. AR Tetradrachm. Circa 155-36 BC.
10 commentsJason T

Dikaia, Thrace Drachm -- 492-475 BC3.17 g, 15.80 mm, 180°
Minted in Dikaia, Thrace
Silver Drachm
Schönert-Geiss Bisanthe 28 (V1/R1), SNG Cop 552 (Same Dies), Traité II 1795 (Different Dies, Selymbria)

Obverse: Head of Herakles Wearing Nemean Skin Headdress Right.
Reverse: Shallow Incuse Square Containing Rooster Standing Right Within Dotted, Square Border

Dikaia was located in Thrace, in the region between the river Nestos and the river Hebros. It was founded by settlers from Eretria. Dikaia has also been known as “Dikaia Beside Abdera” to differentiate it from Dikaia in Macedonia. Eponymous mythical founder was Dikaios, son of Poseidon. Coins from Dikaia circulated as far as Egypt in ancient times, a testament to its large commercial activities. Another testimony to this is the large sums it paid in taxes to Athens in the 5th century BC; combined with Abdera, this amount reached 75 talents each year. Mentions of the city in the works of Strabo, Skylac, and Pliny indicate that it survived until Roman times. Dikaia has now been identified as the small archaeological site of Katsamakia.
_______________________
A FORVM purchase of mine. Purchased primarily for the archaic style Head of Herakles on the obverse, I've come to love this coin among my favorites.Hydro

G., Thrace, Abdera, (400-350 B.C.), BMC 81, AE-15, Magistrate Ermo, Head of Apollo right,Thrace, Abdera, (400-350 B.C.), BMC 81, AE-15, Magistrate Ermo, Head of Apollo right,
avers:- Griffin crouching right, EPMO (Magistrate Ermo) below.
revers:- ABΔ-HRI-TE-ΩN around the four sides of a linear square with the head of Apollo right.
exerg: -/-//--, diameter: 14,5mm, weight: 4,55g, axes: 0h,
mint: Abdera, Thrace, date: c.400-350 B.C., ref: AMNG II 2317, BMC 81,
Q-001quadrans

GREEK, Thrace, Abdera, Griffin Silver Obol, 480-465 B.C.0.64 gm, 9 mm
Obv.: Griffin seated left, right foreleg raised
Rev.: Rough quadripartite incuse square
BMC 3, 14; Sear 1533; May 120; SNG Cop 312-314
Jaimelai

Greek-Thrace, Abdera. 385-347 BC. Bronze (2.82 gr.)RARETHRACE, ABDERA!!! *RARE
AE, 9mm x 11 mm (2.82 grams) Struck circa 385-347 BC.

Obv: Griffin resting on club, magistrate name below (Menandros).
Rev: Head of Apollo in square.

Antonivs Protti

Greek-Thrace, Abdera. 385-347 BC. Bronze (3.40 gr.)RARE THRACE, ABDERA!!! *RARE
AE, 9mm (2.82 grams) Struck circa 385-347 BC.

Obv: Griffin resting on club, magistrate name below (Menandros).
Rev: Head of Apollo in square.
Antonivs Protti

GRIFFIN, Abdera, Thrace | Apollon, AE14 - 4th Century BC.
Griffin | Apollon, Bronze.

Obv: Griffin pouncing right, head raised in menacing poise, club below; MENAN
Rev: Apollon, right, within linear square: ABΔ-HPI-T-ΩΝ (with retrograde N).

Exergue: MENAN

Mint: Abdera
Struck: ca. 352-323 BC.

Size: 14.67 mm.
Weight: ca. 2.5 grm.
Die axis: 0°

The Griffin (Greek gryphos, Persian shirdal - "lion-eagle") is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head, with upstanding ear-tufts, and wings of an eagle: as the lion was considered 'King of the Beasts' and the eagle 'King of the Air,' the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. The griffin is generally represented with four legs, wings and a beak, with eagle-like talons in place of a lion's forelegs and feathered, with equine-like ears jutting from the crown of its head. Some writers describe the tail as a serpent, in the manner of a chimera.
2 commentsTiathena

Ionia, Teos. Æ17. Circa 370-330 BC. Obv: Griffin seated right, forepaw raised.
Rev: Grape bunch over kantharos.
ancientone

Ionia, Teos. Griffin/Incuse Stater.Asia Minor. Ionia. c. 478-465 BC. AR Stater (11.85 gm, 24.6mm) of Teos on Aeginetic standard. Griffin with curved wing standing right, forepaw raised, footprint before, standing on pelleted exergual line. T-H-I (retrograde). Solid border. / Quadripartite incuse punch with pebbled surfaces. EF. Ponterio Auction 119 #487 (CICF 2002). Rare. Balcer cites five known examples, with one obverse & three reverse dies. Balcer Teos (SNR 47) Period II, Group XLIII #92 (A92/P124); BnF Gallica, Chandon de Briailles Coll. 574A; Weber III/1 #6203-6204; SNG von Aulock 2257. Teos founded the Thracian city of Abdera, which also used a griffin as its coin type; those of Teos face right while Abdera faced left. 1 commentsAnaximander

Italy, Lucania, ThuriumAR Stater, 7.79g. 22mm. c.410-400 B.C.

Engraver, Phrygillos (?). Head of Athena to right wearing crested helmet decorated with Skylla; "phi" in field to right. Rv. Bull pawing ground with head down to right; fish in exergue. SNG Oxford 871. HN 1782; a few small marks and some small metal breaks in front of face. Toned and of fine style

Ex: Numismatica Ars Classica, Zurich, Auction O, 2004, lot 1157.

Located on a fertile plain on the Gulf of Taranto near the site of Sybaris, Thurium was founded by Achaeans late in the 8th Century B.C. At the peak of its success, Sybaris had amassed a population nearly equal to that of Athens, had a six-mile defensive wall, and according to Strabo had as many as 25 cities and four native peoples under its authority. However, the thriving settlement was destroyed by Croton in 510 B.C. After two attempts to establish a new foundation on the ruined site that had been thwarted by Croton, a fresh attempt was made in the period 446 to 444/3 B.C. This remarkable undertaking was originally conceived by descendants of the Sybarites, but when the Crotonites opposed that enterprise as well, help was sought from Athens. Pericles came to their aid by sending colonists whom he had gathered from throughout Greece to participate in what he envisioned as a Panhellenic experiment in colonization. With financial and military support from Athens, the colonists set up their city, drawing on the talents of Protagoras of Abdera for its civil laws, Lampon of Athens for its sacred laws and Hippodamus of Miletus for its city-plan. Even the historian Herodotus is counted among the talented participants. As Thurium began to flourish its colonists from Greece soon ejected their co-founding Sybarites (who established another city on the river Traeis) and eventually distanced themselves even from their benefactor Athens. The city continued to prosper even after it came under Roman control following the defeat of Tarentum in 272. During the Second Punic War, Thurium was still a regional power and it held out as a Roman ally until the spring of 212, when resisting the Carthaginians became impossible. It was the last Greek city to fall to Hannibal, yet it also was the last city outside of Bruttium to remain in his camp. This was not appreciated by the Romans who consequently added its land to their ager publicus and, in 194 or 193, by which time the site was largely abandoned, founded in its place the Latin colony of Copia. Thurian coinage is substantial, and is renowned for the fine artistry of its dies. The head of Athena as an obverse type clearly is inspired by the coinage of Athens. The standing bull on the city’s early coins likely was derived from the old badge of Sybaris, yet the charging version of that animal may refer to the local spring Thuria, from which the new foundation took its name. On this example the bowl of Athena’s helmet is vividly decorated with Scylla, whose ribbed serpent-tail and dog foreparts are particularly well-engraved. Athena’s face retains the severe dignity of even the earliest issues of Thurium, making it a fine example of Attic-inspired art. The bull, as on all Thurian issues of this era, is fully animated with its tail lashing as it charges forth to engage some unseen foe.
Ex: A.D.M. Collection 2 commentsLeo

Macedonian Kingdom, Philip II, 359 - 336 B.C., Lifetime IssueSilver tetradrachm, Le Rider 233 (D130/R188); SNG ANS 385 ff., VF, Pella, 14.163g, 25.4mm, 225o, 342 - 336 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Zeus right; reverse "FILIPPOU", naked youth on horse pacing right on horseback holding palm, thunderbolt below; ex CNG 214, 82; very high relief sculptural portrait, nice style, lifetime issue. Ex FORVM.

Philip II expanded the size and influence of the Macedonian Kingdom, but is perhaps best known as the father of Alexander the Great. He personally selected the design of his coins.

Philip II of Macedon (382 BC–336 BC; in Greek Î¦Î¯Î»Î¹Ï€Ï€Î¿Ï‚ = Ï†Î¯Î»Î¿Ï‚ (friend) + Î¯Ï€Ï€Î¿Ï‚ (horse), transliterated Philippos) was the King of Macedon from 359 BC until his assassination. He was the father of Alexander the Great, Phillip III Arrhidaeus, and possibly Ptolemy I Soter, founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty.

Born in Pella, Philip was the youngest son of King Amyntas III and Eurydice. In his youth, (ca. 368 BC–365 BC) Philip was a hostage in Thebes, which was the leading city of Greece during the Theban hegemony. While a captive there, Philip received a military and diplomatic education from Epaminondas, was involved in a pederastic relationship with Pelopidas and lived with Pammenes, who was an enthusiastic advocate of the Sacred Band of Thebes. In 364 BC, Philip returned to Macedonia. The deaths of Philip's elder brothers, King Alexander II and Perdiccas III, allowed him to take the throne in 359 BC. Originally appointed regent for his infant nephew Amyntas IV, who was the son of Perdiccas III, Philip managed to take the kingdom for himself that same year.

Philip's military skills and expansionist vision of Macedonian greatness brought him early success. The hill tribes were broken by a single battle in 358 BC, and Philip established his authority inland as far as Lake Ohrid. He used the Social War as an opportunity for expansion. In 357 BC, he took the Athenian colony of Amphipolis, which commanded the gold mines of Mount Pangaion. That same year Philip married the Epirote princess Olympias, who was the daughter of the king of the Molossians. In 356 BC, Philip conquered the town of Crenides and changed its name to Philippi. Philip also attacked Abdera and Maronea, on the Thracian sea-board. Also in 356 Alexander was born and his race horse won in the Olympics in He took Methone in 354 BC, a town which had belonged to Athens. During the siege of Methone, Philip lost an eye.

Not until his armies were opposed by Athens at Thermopylae in 352 BC did Philip face any serious resistance. Philip did not attempt to advance into central Greece because the Athenians had occupied Thermopylae. Also in 352 BC, the Macedonian army won a complete victory over the Phocians at the Battle of Crocus Field. This battle made Philip tagus of Thessaly, and he claimed as his own Magnesia, with the important harbour of Pagasae.
Hostilities with Athens did not yet take place, but Athens was threatened by the Macedonian party which Philip's gold created in Euboea. From 352 to 346 BC, Philip did not again come south. He was active in completing the subjugation of the Balkan hill-country to the west and north, and in reducing the Greek cities of the coast as far as the Hebrus (Maritza). For the chief of these coastal cities, Olynthus, Philip continued to profess friendship until its neighboring cities were in his hands.

In 349 BC, Philip started the siege of Olynthus. Olynthus at first allied itself with Philip, but later shifted its allegiance to Athens. The Athenians did nothing to help Olynthus. Philip finally took Olynthus in 348 BC and razed the city to the ground. In 346 BC, he intervened effectively in the war between Thebes and the Phocians, but his wars with Athens continued intermittently.

Macedonia and the regions adjoining it having now been securely consolidated, Philip celebrated his Olympic games at Dium. In 347 BC, Philip advanced to the conquest of the eastern districts about the Hebrus, and compelled the submission of the Thracian prince Cersobleptes. Meanwhile, Athens had made overtures for peace, and when Philip, in 346 BC, again moved south, peace was sworn in Thessaly. With key Greek city-states in submission, Philip turned to Sparta; he sent them a message, "You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city." Their reply was "If." Philip and Alexander would both leave them alone. Later, the Macedonian arms were carried across Epirus to the Adriatic Sea. In 342 BC, Philip led a great military expedition north against the Scythians, conquering the Thracian fortified settlement Eumolpia to give it his name, Philippoupolis (modern Plovdiv).

In 340 BC, Philip started the siege of Perinthus. Philip began another siege in 339 BC of the city of Byzantium. After unsuccessful sieges of both cities, Philip's influence all over Greece was compromised. However, Philip successfully reasserted his authority in the Aegean by defeating an alliance of Thebans and Athenians at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. He erected a memorial of a marble lion to the Sacred Band of Thebes for their bravery that still stands today. Philip created and led the League of Corinth in 337 BC. Members of the League agreed never to wage war against each other, unless it was to suppress revolution. Philip was elected as leader (hegemon) of the army of invasion against the Persian Empire. In 336 BC, when the invasion of Persia was in its very early stage, Philip was assassinated, and was succeeded on the throne of Macedon by his son Alexander the Great.

Philip’s Assassination

The murder happened in October of 336 BC, at Aegae, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Macedon. The court had gathered there for the celebration of the marriage between Alexander of Epirus and Philip's daughter. While the king was entering unprotected into the town's theatre (highlighting his approachability to the Greek diplomats present), he was killed by Pausanias of Orestis, one of Philip's seven bodyguards. The assassin immediately tried to escape and reach his associates who were waiting for him with horses at the entrance of Aegae. He was pursued by three of Philip's bodyguards and died by their hands.
The reasons for Pausanias' assassination of Phillip are difficult to fully expound, since there was controversy already among ancient historians. The only contemporary account in our possession is that of Aristotle, who states rather tersely that Philip was killed because Pausanias had been offended by the followers of Attalus, the king's father-in-law.

Whatever else that may be written about Philip II it must be recognized that he was responsible for making Macedon the ascendant Greek power. He reorganized the Macedonian army. It was this army that Alexander the Great inherited. Phillip II trained some of Alexander’s best generals: Antigonus Cyclops, Antipater, Nearchus, Parmenion, and Perdiccas.

According to the Greek historian Theopompus of Chios, Europe had never seen a man like king Philip of Macedonia, and he called his history of the mid-fourth century BCE the Philippic History. Theopompus had a point. Not even his better known son Alexander has done so much to change the course of Greek history. Philip reorganized his kingdom, gave it access to the sea, expanded its power so that it could defeat the Achaemenid Empire, and subdued the Greek city-states, which never regained their independence again. To achieve this, he modernized the Macedonian economy, improved the army, and concluded several marital alliances. The result was a superpower with one weakness: it was as strong as its king. When Philip's son Alexander died, the institutions were too weak, and Macedonia never recovered.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_II_of_Macedon
http://www.livius.org/phi-php/philip/philip_ii.htm
Ed. by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.1 commentsCleisthenes

ROMAN EMPIRE PROVINCIAL, Trajan, AE25 Abdera Thrace NikeObverse: AYTO TPAIANW KAISARI CEBACTW, laureate bust right.
Reverse: GERMA DAKI-KW - ABDHREITAI, Nike standing left on Pedestal, holding Wreath and Palm.

Diameter: 25.6 x 26.2 x 1.6 mm, Weight: 7.41 g, Die axis: 180 degrees
Mint: Abdera, Thracia, 102 - 117 A.D. Reference: RPC 803

On 29 July last year Michel Amandry kindly contacted me, after my inquiry with the British Museum's Coins and Medals Department, about this coin. Michel mentioned that only two examples had been known, one in the Ashmolean Museum collection, Oxford (= NC 1953, 21/2 and pl. I, n°2) and the other found during excavations at Abdera (Abdera excavations E 91/N 56).With many thanks to Michel, this coin will be cited in the upcoming RPC Volume III (British Museum Press, 1 October 2015)Constantine IV

Roman Provincial: Nero and Augustus, AE20.Nero and Augustus, AE20, Thrace, Abdera 54-68 A.D. 6.30g - 20.1mm, Axis 6h.

Obv: Bare head of Nero left.

Rev: Bare head of Divus Augustus left.

Ref: Varbanov 8; RPC 1730v.
Rated: Rare, R6 on the Varbanov Scale.
Provenance: Chris Scarlioli Collection.Christian Scarlioli

SPAIN, BAETICA, ABDERA2nd Cenbury BC
AE 25 mm; 12.6 g
O: Tetrastyle temple.
R: Two tunny fish, Punic legend between them.

laney

TEMPLE, CARACALLA, Thracia, Topiros, Varbanov 2682Caracalla, AD 198-217
AE 28, 16.95g, 27.80mm, 210°
struck AD 211 (between death of Severus Feb. 211 and murder of Geta Dec. 211 or Feb. 212)
obv. AVT KM AVRH ANTWNINOC
Head, bearded, laureate, r.
c/m circular incus with AVR as monogram
rev. OVLPI - AC TOPI / ROV
Tetrastyle temple, columns with cannelures, trigonal roof without entablature; empty intercolumnaria; on each side a low base with a horseman raising r. hand
Varbanov (engl.) 2682
extremely rare, EF, probably the most beautiful coin of Topiros, a rare city in Thracia.

The countermark is found on other coins of Caracalla too. Not in Howgego. Actually it is not a real countermark, because it was engraved into the original die before (see coll. H.Agndal at FAC!). Ulrike Peters: This incus is known for Domna, Caracalla and Geta from AD 211. Possibly for some imperial privileges.

Topiros was situated some miles north of Abdera at the river Nestos.
1 commentsJochen

Thrace & Skythia, including Dacia, Moesia, & Paeonia.Thracian mints: Abdera, Apollonia Pontika, Byzantion, Cherronesos, Koson, Maroneia, Mesembria, Neapolis, Potidaia, Sparadakos, Terone, & Thasos.1 commentsAnaximander

Thrace AbderaObv; Griffin std l. Rev; Hd of Apollo r. May 548. 2.41g. 16mmMrCardon

Thrace, AbderaThrace, Abdera
Colony of Klazomenai
365-345 BC

O: Head of appolo within square, monograms around ABD /HPI /TE /WN
R: Griffin reclining right, club below; Greek_Theta E under

Ae; 2.68g; 15mmarizonarobin

THRACE, ABDERAAE 14.5 mm 2.79 g
400 - 350 BC
O: GRIFFIN R
R: YOUNG MAKE HEAD IN LINEAR SQUARElaney

Thrace, AbderaThrace, Abdera
Colony of Klazomenai
365-345 BCBritanikus

THRACE, AbderaTHRACE, Abdera. Circa 395-360 BC. AR Tetrobol. Protes, magistrate. Griffin springing left / Laureate head of Apollo left within square; ΠP-Ω-TH-Σ around. May, Abdera Period VI, 324 (A236/P277); SNG Copenhagen 334.

Ex. Coin Elf!

1 commentsMolinari

THRACE, ABDERAca 400 - 350 BC
AE 14.5 mm 2.79
O: Griffin recumbent right on club;magistrate's name below;
R: Laureate head of Apollo right withinin a linear square border
Thrace, Abdera mintlaney

Thrace, Abdera AR tétrobole (c.411-385 AC)a: ABΔH
r: NYM-ΦA-ΓOΡ-HΣ
14mm; 2.9g
BMC.44
Ex D.F. Grotjohann
Ex Lanz1 commentsT.MooT

Thrace, Abdera AR TetrobolCirca 360-350 BC. AR Tetrobol (15mm, 2.84 g, 3h). Molpagores, magistrate. May, Abdera – (A285/P33 [unlisted die combination]); SNG Copenhagen 331. Obverse Gryphon springing left. Reverse Head of Dionysos right within linear square; MOÎ›[Î“A]Î“OPHÎ£ around. EF, toned.

Ex Classical Numismatic Review XXXIX No. 2 Summer 2014, lot 980958.

Abdera, on the southern coast of Thrace, not far from the mouth of the river Nestus, was originally founded as a colony of Clazomenae in the seventh century B.C. This first venture did not prove a success, but the site was reoccupied by the larger portion of the population from Teos, who preferred to leave their native land rather than submit to the Persian dominion in 544 B.C. Later on, Abdera rose to be a place of considerable importance and wealth. The gryphon as a coin-type at Abdera is clearly copied from that on the coins of the mother-city Teos. It may be borrowed from the cult of the Hyperborean Apollo. The magistrates whose names occur on the coins of this town were probably members of the governing body, commissioned to superintend the coinage of the state, and not mere monetary magistrates.
1 commentsJason T

THRACE, ABDERA Tetrobol, May 279, HermesOBV: Griffin springing left
REV: Magistrate's name around linear border, within which head of Hermes l., caduceus before; all in incuse square
2.780g

Minted at Abdera, 411-385 BC2 commentsLegatus

Thrace, Abdera. Claudius and Divus Augustus AE20CLAUDIUS and DIVUS AUGUSTUS Abdera in Thrace. TIBEPIW KLAYDIW KAIC GEPMA [NIKW CEBAC]. Head of the Claudius left. R-S: QEW CEBACTW ABDHPEITWN. Head of the Divus Augustus left. AMNG 242. RPC 1728. 7.16 G. ancientone

Thrace, Griffin & Hermes Tetradrachm of Abdera.Thrace. Abdera. 355/354 BC. AR Tetradrachm or double siglos (11.38 gm, 17mm, 1h). Eagle-Griffin rearing left from its base. ΑΒΔΗ above. / Hermes standing right, wearing petasos and chlamys, holding rod. Kantharos in field to right. ΕΠΙ ꞮΗΝΩΝΟΣ. Zenon, magistrate. EF. Very Rare. Bt. Louis di Lauro, Coral Gables, 2000. Chryssanthaki-Nagle p.127 pd.VII (plate 8 #8); HGC 3.2 #1206; May Abdera 447 (A301/P355); Imhoof-Blumer MG #6 (Abdera, plate C #2); Weber 2378 (same obv. die). cf.Triton XII #127 (same dies); Roma Numismatics XX #144.7 commentsAnaximander

Thrace, Griffin & Kantharos Tetrobol of Abdera.Thrace. Abdera. 385-375 BC. AR Tetrobol (2.82 gm, 12mm, 3h). Eagle-griffin rearing left from its base, Α[Β] to right. / Kantharos in incuse square, ivy leaf in field to right. [Ι]PΟΜ-ΝΗ-ΜΩΝ (magistrate) around. VF. Bt. Gables Coin, 1998. HGC 3.2 #1223; May Abdera Group CXVI #439 (pl.XX, same P349 rev. die)-446; SNG Cop 2 (Thrace) #329 (same rev. die); McClean II #4011 (pl.146 #11, same).1 commentsAnaximander

Thrace-Abdera 500-480 BCAR- Obol
Obv: Griffin seated left, with right foreleg raised, feathered wing.
Rev: Quadripartite incuse square.
Size: 9.77 mm;0.49gms
Ref: BMC Tauric Chersonese,Thrace,Vol.3,Pg 65,No.15 var.
Sear 1- 1533; SNG Cop 312Brian L

THRACE. Abdera (395-360 BC). DiobolTHRACE. Abdera (395-360 BC). Diobol. Kleantides, magistrate.

Obv: Griffin crouching left.Rev: Bull head left within incuse square.
SNG Copenhagen 347.
Condition: Extremely fine.
Weight: 1.4 g.
Diameter: 13 mm.2 commentsLeo

Thrace. Griffin & Apollo Tetrobol of Abdera.Thrace. Abdera. 333/2-332/1 BC. AR Tetrobol (2.48 gm, 9.7mm, 10h). Griffin rearing left. ΑΒΔΗ - ΡΙΤΕΩΝ. / Laureate head of Apollo right, square border, ΕΠΙ ΠΥΘ ΟΔΩ ΡΟ[Υ] around. VF. Pegasi Numismatics Auction 41 (VAuctions 342) #61. ex. Pegasi Sale 155 #47. May Abdera Group CXL #553 (one example); HGC 3.2 #1227b; ANMG II #172. cf. SNG Cop. 2 (Thrace) #357-361 (different magistrates).1 commentsAnaximander

Thrace: AE21, Semi-Autonomous Issue. Abdera 240-200 B.C. 4.95g - 21mm, Axis 12h.

Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right.

Rev: ABΔHPITΩN - Griffin left.

Ref: SNG Evelpidis 886.
Provenance: Chris Scarlioli Collection.Christian Scarlioli

Thracia, Abdera AMNG 206AR - Triobol, 1.5g
VIII. period, 352-323 BC
obv. Griffin, jumping up l., peaked feather wing directed diagonal upward, beak
slightly opened, hindfeet on club, laying with grip l.
above star with 8 rays
beneath MHNO
rev. square of lines, within head of Apollo(?), with short hairs, laureate, r., field
barely deepened
around the square ABD / HRI / TE / WN
AMNG 206 (3 ex. known)
rare, VF

The club had been added to the coin depiction as a symbol of the Heraklides after Abdera came under the rule of Philipp II from Makedonia 352 BC.2 commentsJochen

Thracia, Topiros, Caracalla, Varbanov 2682Caracalla, AD 198-217
AE 28, 16.95g, 27.80mm, 210°
struck AD 211 (between death of Severus Feb. 211 and murder of Geta Dec. 211 or Feb. 212)
obv. AVT KM AVRH ANTWNINOC
Head, bearded, laureate, r.
c/m circular incus with AVR as monogram
rev. OVLPI - AC TOPI / ROV
Tetrastyle temple, columns with cannelures, trigonal roof without entablature; empty intercolumnaria; on each side a low base with a horseman raising r. hand
Varbanov (engl.) 2682
extremely rare, EF, probably the most beautiful coin of Topiros, a rare city in Thracia.

The countermark is found on other coins of Caracalla too. Not in Howgego. Actually it is not a real countermark, because it was engraved into the original die before (see coll. H.Agndal at FAC!). Ulrike Peters: This incus is known for Domna, Caracalla and Geta from AD 211. Possibly for some imperial privileges.

Topiros was situated some miles north of Abdera at the river Nestos.
3 commentsJochen

Thracia, Topiros, Caracalla, Varbanov 2683 (A strange incus)Caracalla, AD 198-217
AE 27, 16.95g, 27.38mm, 210°
struck AD 211, (between death of Severus AD 211 and the murder of Geta on Dec. 211 or Feb. 212)
obv. AVT KM AVRH ANTWNINOC
Head, bearded, laureate, r.
c/m circular incus with AVR as monogram
rev. OVLPI - AC TOPI / ROV
Tetrastyle temple, columns with cannelures, trigonal roof without entablature; empty intercolumnaria; on each side a low base with a horseman raising r. hand
ref. Varbanov (engl.) 2682
extremely rare, EF, probably the most beautiful coin of Topiros, a rare city in Thracia.

This countermark is found on other coins of Domna, Caracalla and Geta too. Not in Howgego. Actually it is not a real countermark, because it was engraved into the original die before (see coll. H.Agndal at FAC!).
Ulrike Peter: This incus possibly means any imperial privileges.

Topiros was situated some miles north of Abdera at the river Nestos. Jochen

Thurii, Lucania300-280 BC
AR Didrachm (21mm, 7.67g)
O: Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with Skylla hurling a stone.
R: Bull butting right; ΘOYPIΩN and ΘE above, tunny fish in ex.
SNG ANS 1081; HN Italy 1870; Sear 443v (inscription on exergual line)
From the Frederick H. Rindge collection; ex Jack H. Beymer

Rising from the ruins of New Sybaris, Thurii was originally planned by Perikles of Athens as a Greek utopia. Scientists, artists, poets and philosophers from all over the Greek mainland were encouraged to immigrate to southern Italy around 443 BC to help establish this new city tucked against the mountains between two rivers on the west coast of the Tarentine Gulf. Among those accepting the challenge was Herodotus, who finished his ‘Histories’ here before his death in 420. The sophist Protagoras of Abdera also came, and was commissioned to write the new city’s democratic constitution.
However this idea of a peaceful colony of free-thinkers was destined to be short-lived. By 413 BC the colony was at war with mother-city Athens, and in 390 Thurii suffered a significant defeat by the Lucanians. In response the Thurians called in help from Rome to deal with this threat, and then again in 282 for its’ war with Taras. The city was later plundered by Hannibal of Carthage during the second Punic war, who left it in ruin.2 commentsEnodia

Thurium, Lucania (Circa 400-350 BC)AR Nomos

20 mm, 7.45g

Obverse: Head of Athena with Attic helmet, on the helmet boiler Scylla

Reverse: Bull, in section fish.

SNG ANS 1034 (av., Stgl.), HN Italy 1787.

Located on a fertile plain on the Gulf of Taranto near the site of Sybaris, Thurium was founded by Achaeans late in the 8th Century B.C. At its peak, Sybaris had amassed a population nearly equal to that of Athens, had a six-mile defensive wall, and according to Strabo had as many as 25 cities and four native peoples under its authority. However, the thriving settlement was destroyed by Croton in 510 B.C.

After two attempts to establish a new foundation on the ruined site that had been thwarted by Croton, a fresh attempt was made in the period 446 to 444/3 B.C. This remarkable undertaking was originally conceived by descendants of the Sybarites, but when the Crotonites opposed that enterprise as well, help was sought from Athens. Pericles came to their aid by sending colonists whom he had gathered from throughout Greece to participate in what he envisioned as a Panhellenic experiment in colonization. With financial and military support from Athens, the colonists set up their city, drawing on the talents of Protagoras of Abdera for its civil laws, Lampon of Athens for its sacred laws and Hippodamus of Miletus for its city-plan. Even the historian Herodotus is counted among the talented participants.

As Thurium began to flourish its colonists from Greece soon ejected their co-founding Sybarites (who established another city on the river Traeis) and eventually distanced themselves even from their benefactor Athens. The city continued to prosper even after it came under Roman control following the defeat of Tarentum in 272. During the Second Punic War, Thurium was still a regional power and it held out as a Roman ally until the spring of 212, when resisting the Carthaginians became impossible. It was the last Greek city to fall to Hannibal, yet it also was the last city outside of Bruttium to remain in his camp. This was not appreciated by the Romans who consequently added its land to their ager publicus and, in 194 or 193, by which time the site was largely abandoned, founded in its place the Latin colony of Copia.

Thurian coinage is substantial, and is renowned for the fine artistry of its dies. The head of Athena as an obverse type clearly is inspired by the coinage of Athens. The standing bull on the city’s early coins likely was derived from the old badge of Sybaris, yet the charging version of that animal may refer to the local spring Thuria, from which the new foundation took its name. On this example the bowl of Athena’s helmet is decorated with Scylla, whose serpent-tail is visible. The bull, as on all Thurian issues of this era, is fully animated with its tail lashing as it charges forth to engage some unseen foe.
1 commentsNathan P

YEAR-END REVIEW OF GREEK COLLECTION (OBVERSE)Click on picture for bigger resolution.

Top row from left to right: MYSIA, PERGAMMON. Eumenes I AR Tetradrachm. Circa 263-241 BC **ILLYRIA, DYRRHACHION. AR Stater. Circa 340-280 BC**IONIA, SMYRNA. AR “Stephanophoric” Tetradrachm. Circa 150-145 BC** PELOPONNESOS, SIKYON. AR Stater. Circa 335-330 BC**ATTICA, ATHENS. “New style” Tetradrachm. Circa 169 BC.

Sixth row: BACTRIA, Antialkidas. AR Drachm. Circa 145-135 BC**CAPPADOCIA. Ariobarzanes I AR Drachm. Circa 96-63 BC**THRACE, ABDERA. AR Tetrobol. Circa 360-350 BC**THRACE, CHERSONESSOS. AR Hemidrachm. Circa 386-338 BC.

Fifth row: IONIA, EPHESOS. AR Tetradrachm. Circa 405-390 BC**CILICIA, TARSOS. Mazaios AR Stater. Circa 361-334 BC **MACEDONIA. Kassander AR Tetradrachm. Circa 317-315 BC**AKARNANIA, LEUKAS. AR Stater. Circa 320-280 BC**PAMPHYLIA, ASPENDOS. AR Stater. Circa 330-300 BC.

Fourth row: SELEUKID SYRIA. Antiochos VI AR Drachm. Circa 144-143 BC**LUCANIA, METAPONTION. AR Stater. Circa 340-330 BC**LUCANIA, VELIA. AR Stater. Circa 280 BC**PARTHIA. Mithradates II AR Drachm. Circa 121-91 BC.

Third row: AEOLIS, MYRINA. AR "Stephanophoric" Tetradrachm. Circa 150 BC**CARIA. Pixodaros AR Didrachm. Circa 341-335 BC**THRACE. Lysimachos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 297-281 BC**CILICIA, TARSOS. Pharnabazos AR Stater. Circa 380-374 BC**THRACE, MARONEIA. AR Tetradrachm. Mid 2nd cent. BC.

Second Row: LUCANIA, METAPONTION. AR Stater. Circa 510-480 BC** THESSALIAN LEAGUE. AR Stater. Circa 196-146 BC**CAMPANIA, NEAPOLIS. AR Nomos. Circa 275-250 BC**LYCIA, PRE-DYNASTIC. AR Stater. Circa 520-460 BC.

Bottom row: SELEUKID SYRIA. Antiochos Euergetes VII AR Tetradrachm. Circa 138-129 BC**MACEDON. Alexander III AR Tetradrachm. Circa 325-315 BC**CILICIA, AIGEAI. AR Tetradrachm. Circa 30 BC**PAIONIA. Patraos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 335-315 BC**PAMPHYLIA, SIDE. AR Tetradrachm. Circa 155-36 BC.
2 commentsJason T

YEAR-END REVIEW OF GREEK COLLECTION (REVERSE)THE LESS OFTEN DISPLAYED SIDE OF MY COINS.
Please click on picture for bigger resolution.

Top row from left to right: MYSIA, PERGAMMON. Eumenes I AR Tetradrachm. Circa 263-241 BC **ILLYRIA, DYRRHACHION. AR Stater. Circa 340-280 BC**IONIA, SMYRNA. AR “Stephanophoric” Tetradrachm. Circa 150-145 BC** PELOPONNESOS, SIKYON. AR Stater. Circa 335-330 BC**ATTICA, ATHENS. “New style” Tetradrachm. Circa 169 BC.

Sixth row: BACTRIA, Antialkidas. AR Drachm. Circa 145-135 BC**CAPPADOCIA. Ariobarzanes I AR Drachm. Circa 96-63 BC**THRACE, ABDERA. AR Tetrobol. Circa 360-350 BC**THRACE, CHERSONESSOS. AR Hemidrachm. Circa 386-338 BC.

Fifth row: IONIA, EPHESOS. AR Tetradrachm. Circa 405-390 BC**CILICIA, TARSOS. Mazaios AR Stater. Circa 361-334 BC **MACEDONIA. Kassander AR Tetradrachm. Circa 317-315 BC**AKARNANIA, LEUKAS. AR Stater. Circa 320-280 BC**PAMPHYLIA, ASPENDOS. AR Stater. Circa 330-300 BC.

Fourth row: SELEUKID SYRIA. Antiochos VI AR Drachm. Circa 144-143 BC**LUCANIA, METAPONTION. AR Stater. Circa 340-330 BC**LUCANIA, VELIA. AR Stater. Circa 280 BC**PARTHIA. Mithradates II AR Drachm. Circa 121-91 BC.

Third row: AEOLIS, MYRINA. AR "Stephanophoric" Tetradrachm. Circa 150 BC**CARIA. Pixodaros AR Didrachm. Circa 341-335 BC**THRACE. Lysimachos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 297-281 BC**CILICIA, TARSOS. Pharnabazos AR Stater. Circa 380-374 BC**THRACE, MARONEIA. AR Tetradrachm. Mid 2nd cent. BC.

Second Row: LUCANIA, METAPONTION. AR Stater. Circa 510-480 BC** THESSALIAN LEAGUE. AR Stater. Circa 196-146 BC**CAMPANIA, NEAPOLIS. AR Nomos. Circa 275-250 BC**LYCIA, PRE-DYNASTIC. AR Stater. Circa 520-460 BC.

Bottom row: SELEUKID SYRIA. Antiochos Euergetes VII AR Tetradrachm. Circa 138-129 BC**MACEDON. Alexander III AR Tetradrachm. Circa 325-315 BC**CILICIA, AIGEAI. AR Tetradrachm. Circa 30 BC**PAIONIA. Patraos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 335-315 BC**PAMPHYLIA, SIDE. AR Tetradrachm. Circa 155-36 BC.
1 commentsJason T

[103b] Macedonian Kingdom, Philip II, 359 - 336 B.C.Macedonian Kingdom, Philip II, 359 - 336 B.C. Bronze AE 21, Heavy or Double Unit, SNG ANS 833, aVF, 8.40g, 21.2mm, 0o, lifetime issue. Obverse: head Apollo right, wearing tania; Reverse: FILIPPOU, young male rider right, right hand raised, E right.
Ex FORVM.

Philip II expanded the size and influence of the Macedonian Kingdom, but is perhaps best known as the father of Alexander the Great. He personally selected the design of his coins.

Struck in commemoration of Philip's Olympic victory. This is one of his earliest issues in bronze.

Philip II of Macedon (382 BC–336 BC; in Greek Î¦Î¯Î»Î¹Ï€Ï€Î¿Ï‚ = Ï†Î¯Î»Î¿Ï‚ (friend) + Î¯Ï€Ï€Î¿Ï‚ (horse), transliterated Philippos) was the King of Macedon from 359 BC until his assassination. He was the father of Alexander the Great, Phillip III Arrhidaeus, and possibly Ptolemy I Soter, founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty.

Born in Pella, Philip was the youngest son of King Amyntas III and Eurydice. In his youth, (ca. 368 BC–365 BC) Philip was a hostage in Thebes, which was the leading city of Greece during the Theban hegemony. While a captive there, Philip received a military and diplomatic education from Epaminondas, was involved in a pederastic relationship with Pelopidas and lived with Pammenes, who was an enthusiastic advocate of the Sacred Band of Thebes. In 364 BC, Philip returned to Macedonia. The deaths of Philip's elder brothers, King Alexander II and Perdiccas III, allowed him to take the throne in 359 BC. Originally appointed regent for his infant nephew Amyntas IV, who was the son of Perdiccas III, Philip managed to take the kingdom for himself that same year.

Philip's military skills and expansionist vision of Macedonian greatness brought him early success. The hill tribes were broken by a single battle in 358 BC, and Philip established his authority inland as far as Lake Ohrid. He used the Social War as an opportunity for expansion. In 357 BC, he took the Athenian colony of Amphipolis, which commanded the gold mines of Mount Pangaion. That same year Philip married the Epirote princess Olympias, who was the daughter of the king of the Molossians. In 356 BC, Philip conquered the town of Crenides and changed its name to Philippi. Philip also attacked Abdera and Maronea, on the Thracian sea-board. Also in 356 Alexander was born and his race horse won in the Olympics in He took Methone in 354 BC, a town which had belonged to Athens. During the siege of Methone, Philip lost an eye.

Not until his armies were opposed by Athens at Thermopylae in 352 BC did Philip face any serious resistance. Philip did not attempt to advance into central Greece because the Athenians had occupied Thermopylae. Also in 352 BC, the Macedonian army won a complete victory over the Phocians at the Battle of Crocus Field. This battle made Philip tagus of Thessaly, and he claimed as his own Magnesia, with the important harbour of Pagasae.
Hostilities with Athens did not yet take place, but Athens was threatened by the Macedonian party which Philip's gold created in Euboea. From 352 to 346 BC, Philip did not again come south. He was active in completing the subjugation of the Balkan hill-country to the west and north, and in reducing the Greek cities of the coast as far as the Hebrus (Maritza). For the chief of these coastal cities, Olynthus, Philip continued to profess friendship until its neighboring cities were in his hands.

In 349 BC, Philip started the siege of Olynthus. Olynthus at first allied itself with Philip, but later shifted its allegiance to Athens. The Athenians did nothing to help Olynthus. Philip finally took Olynthus in 348 BC and razed the city to the ground. In 346 BC, he intervened effectively in the war between Thebes and the Phocians, but his wars with Athens continued intermittently.

Macedonia and the regions adjoining it having now been securely consolidated, Philip celebrated his Olympic games at Dium. In 347 BC, Philip advanced to the conquest of the eastern districts about the Hebrus, and compelled the submission of the Thracian prince Cersobleptes. Meanwhile, Athens had made overtures for peace, and when Philip, in 346 BC, again moved south, peace was sworn in Thessaly. With key Greek city-states in submission, Philip turned to Sparta; he sent them a message, "You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city." Their reply was "If." Philip and Alexander would both leave them alone. Later, the Macedonian arms were carried across Epirus to the Adriatic Sea. In 342 BC, Philip led a great military expedition north against the Scythians, conquering the Thracian fortified settlement Eumolpia to give it his name, Philippoupolis (modern Plovdiv).

In 340 BC, Philip started the siege of Perinthus. Philip began another siege in 339 BC of the city of Byzantium. After unsuccessful sieges of both cities, Philip's influence all over Greece was compromised. However, Philip successfully reasserted his authority in the Aegean by defeating an alliance of Thebans and Athenians at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. He erected a memorial of a marble lion to the Sacred Band of Thebes for their bravery that still stands today. Philip created and led the League of Corinth in 337 BC. Members of the League agreed never to wage war against each other, unless it was to suppress revolution. Philip was elected as leader (hegemon) of the army of invasion against the Persian Empire. In 336 BC, when the invasion of Persia was in its very early stage, Philip was assassinated, and was succeeded on the throne of Macedon by his son Alexander the Great.

Philip’s Assassination

The murder happened in October of 336 BC, at Aegae, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Macedon. The court had gathered there for the celebration of the marriage between Alexander of Epirus and Philip's daughter. While the king was entering unprotected into the town's theatre (highlighting his approachability to the Greek diplomats present), he was killed by Pausanias of Orestis, one of Philip's seven bodyguards. The assassin immediately tried to escape and reach his associates who were waiting for him with horses at the entrance of Aegae. He was pursued by three of Philip's bodyguards and died by their hands.
The reasons for Pausanias' assassination of Phillip are difficult to fully expound, since there was controversy already among ancient historians. The only contemporary account in our possession is that of Aristotle, who states rather tersely that Philip was killed because Pausanias had been offended by the followers of Attalus, the king's father-in-law.

Whatever else that may be written about Philip II it must be recognized that he was responsible for making Macedon the ascendant Greek power. He reorganized the Macedonian army. It was this army that Alexander the Great inherited. Phillip II trained some of his Alexander’s best generals: Antigonus Cyclops, Antipater, Nearchus, Parmenion, and Perdiccas.

While Alexander was a bold and charismatic leader, he owes much of his success to his father.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_II_of_Macedon
J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.

Cleisthenes

[103c] Macedonian Kingdom, Philip II, 359 - 336 B.C.Bronze AE Unit, SNG ANS 896, SNG Cop 589, F, 5.554g, 16.8mm, 0o, Macedonian mint, c. 359 - 336 B.C.; lifetime issue. Obverse: head Apollo right wearing tania; Reverse: FILIPPOU, young male riding horse prancing to right, AI below. Ex FORVM.

Philip II expanded the size and influence of the Macedonian Kingdom, but is perhaps best known as the father of Alexander the Great. He personally selected the design of his coins.

Philip II of Macedon (382 BC–336 BC; in Greek Î¦Î¯Î»Î¹Ï€Ï€Î¿Ï‚ = Ï†Î¯Î»Î¿Ï‚ (friend) + Î¯Ï€Ï€Î¿Ï‚ (horse), transliterated Philippos) was the King of Macedon from 359 BC until his assassination. He was the father of Alexander the Great, Phillip III Arrhidaeus, and possibly Ptolemy I Soter, founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty.

Born in Pella, Philip was the youngest son of King Amyntas III and Eurydice. In his youth, (ca. 368 BC–365 BC) Philip was a hostage in Thebes, which was the leading city of Greece during the Theban hegemony. While a captive there, Philip received a military and diplomatic education from Epaminondas, was involved in a pederastic relationship with Pelopidas and lived with Pammenes, who was an enthusiastic advocate of the Sacred Band of Thebes. In 364 BC, Philip returned to Macedonia. The deaths of Philip's elder brothers, King Alexander II and Perdiccas III, allowed him to take the throne in 359 BC. Originally appointed regent for his infant nephew Amyntas IV, who was the son of Perdiccas III, Philip managed to take the kingdom for himself that same year.

Philip's military skills and expansionist vision of Macedonian greatness brought him early success. The hill tribes were broken by a single battle in 358 BC, and Philip established his authority inland as far as Lake Ohrid. He used the Social War as an opportunity for expansion. In 357 BC, he took the Athenian colony of Amphipolis, which commanded the gold mines of Mount Pangaion. That same year Philip married the Epirote princess Olympias, who was the daughter of the king of the Molossians. In 356 BC, Philip conquered the town of Crenides and changed its name to Philippi. Philip also attacked Abdera and Maronea, on the Thracian sea-board. Also in 356 Alexander was born and his race horse won in the Olympics in He took Methone in 354 BC, a town which had belonged to Athens. During the siege of Methone, Philip lost an eye.

Not until his armies were opposed by Athens at Thermopylae in 352 BC did Philip face any serious resistance. Philip did not attempt to advance into central Greece because the Athenians had occupied Thermopylae. Also in 352 BC, the Macedonian army won a complete victory over the Phocians at the Battle of Crocus Field. This battle made Philip tagus of Thessaly, and he claimed as his own Magnesia, with the important harbour of Pagasae.
Hostilities with Athens did not yet take place, but Athens was threatened by the Macedonian party which Philip's gold created in Euboea. From 352 to 346 BC, Philip did not again come south. He was active in completing the subjugation of the Balkan hill-country to the west and north, and in reducing the Greek cities of the coast as far as the Hebrus (Maritza). For the chief of these coastal cities, Olynthus, Philip continued to profess friendship until its neighboring cities were in his hands.

In 349 BC, Philip started the siege of Olynthus. Olynthus at first allied itself with Philip, but later shifted its allegiance to Athens. The Athenians did nothing to help Olynthus. Philip finally took Olynthus in 348 BC and razed the city to the ground. In 346 BC, he intervened effectively in the war between Thebes and the Phocians, but his wars with Athens continued intermittently.

Macedonia and the regions adjoining it having now been securely consolidated, Philip celebrated his Olympic games at Dium. In 347 BC, Philip advanced to the conquest of the eastern districts about the Hebrus, and compelled the submission of the Thracian prince Cersobleptes. Meanwhile, Athens had made overtures for peace, and when Philip, in 346 BC, again moved south, peace was sworn in Thessaly. With key Greek city-states in submission, Philip turned to Sparta; he sent them a message, "You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city." Their reply was "If." Philip and Alexander would both leave them alone. Later, the Macedonian arms were carried across Epirus to the Adriatic Sea. In 342 BC, Philip led a great military expedition north against the Scythians, conquering the Thracian fortified settlement Eumolpia to give it his name, Philippoupolis (modern Plovdiv).

In 340 BC, Philip started the siege of Perinthus. Philip began another siege in 339 BC of the city of Byzantium. After unsuccessful sieges of both cities, Philip's influence all over Greece was compromised. However, Philip successfully reasserted his authority in the Aegean by defeating an alliance of Thebans and Athenians at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. He erected a memorial of a marble lion to the Sacred Band of Thebes for their bravery that still stands today. Philip created and led the League of Corinth in 337 BC. Members of the League agreed never to wage war against each other, unless it was to suppress revolution. Philip was elected as leader (hegemon) of the army of invasion against the Persian Empire. In 336 BC, when the invasion of Persia was in its very early stage, Philip was assassinated, and was succeeded on the throne of Macedon by his son Alexander the Great.

Philip’s Assassination

The murder happened in October of 336 BC, at Aegae, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Macedon. The court had gathered there for the celebration of the marriage between Alexander of Epirus and Philip's daughter. While the king was entering unprotected into the town's theatre (highlighting his approachability to the Greek diplomats present), he was killed by Pausanias of Orestis, one of Philip's seven bodyguards. The assassin immediately tried to escape and reach his associates who were waiting for him with horses at the entrance of Aegae. He was pursued by three of Philip's bodyguards and died by their hands.
The reasons for Pausanias' assassination of Phillip are difficult to fully expound, since there was controversy already among ancient historians. The only contemporary account in our possession is that of Aristotle, who states rather tersely that Philip was killed because Pausanias had been offended by the followers of Attalus, the king's father-in-law.

Whatever else that may be written about Philip II it must be recognized that he was responsible for making Macedon the ascendant Greek power. He reorganized the Macedonian army. It was this army that Alexander the Great inherited. Phillip II trained some of his Alexander’s best generals: Antigonus Cyclops, Antipater, Nearchus, Parmenion, and Perdiccas.

While Alexander was a bold and charismatic leader, he owes much of his success to his father.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_II_of_Macedon
J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.Cleisthenes

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