MYTILENE LESBOS ELECTRUM (GOLD/SILVER) HEKTE_412 - 378 BC_Helmeted Ares & Amazon
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:21628300 |
12M24 FRASCATIUS ANCIENTSA BEAUTIFUL ELECTRUM HEKTE OF MYTILENE, LESBOS FROM 412 - 378 BC . EX: CNG Electrum is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, with trace amounts of copper and other metal. The ancient Greeks called it 'gold' or 'white gold', as opposed to 'refined gold'. Electrum was much better for coinage than gold, mostly because it was harder and more durable, but also because techniques for refining gold were not widespread at the time. ... THE SIZE IS 10.6 MM AND 2.53 GRAMS. Bodenstedt 65; SNG Cop 320; BMC 95OBVERSE – Head of Ares right, wearing crested helmet decorated with a griffin REVERSE – Head of Amazon right, in linear border within incuse squareWHO IS ARES?Ares was the Greek god of war and perhaps the most unpopular of all the Olympian gods because of his quick temper, aggressiveness, and unquenchable thirst for conflict. He famously seduced Aphrodite, unsuccessfully fought with Hercules, and enraged Poseidon by killing his son Halirrhothios. One of the more human Olympian gods, he was a popular subject in Greek artAres was noted for his beauty and courage, qualities which no doubt helped him win the affections of Aphrodite (even though she was married to Hephaistos) with whom he had a daughter, Harmonia, and the god of love and desire Eros. Hephaistos managed to entrap the lovers in an ingenious bed, and the tale is told in some detail in Book 8 of Homer's Odyssey. Once caught, the punishment for Ares' indiscretion was temporary banishment from Mount Olympus.WHO ARE THE AMAZONS?In Greek mythology, the Amazons were a race of warlike women noted for their courage and pride who lived at the outer limits of the known world, sometimes specifically mentioned as the city of Themiskyra on the Black Sea. Their queen was Hippolyta and although Homer tells us they were ‘the equal of men’, they fought and lost separate battles against three Greek heroes: Hercules, Theseus and Bellerophon. Scenes from these battles were popular in Greek art, especially on pottery and in monumental sculpture adorning some of the most important buildings in the Greek world.In mythology, the Amazons were daughters of Ares, the god of war. They were a women-only society where men were welcomed only for breeding purposes and all male infants were killed. In legend, the Amazons burnt off their right breast in order to better use a bow and throw a spear, indeed, the word amazon may signify ‘breastless’. Interestingly though, Amazons are not depicted in Greek art with a missing breast. They are most often depicted wearing hoplite armour and frequently ride a horse. The most common weapon is the bow and spear but there are also examples where Amazons carry axes.MYTILENEMytilene, Lesbos was an ancient city founded in the 11th century BC. As an ancient city, lying off the east coast, Mytilene was initially confined to a small island just offshore that later was joined to Lesbos, creating a north and south harbor. According to the writings of Homer, the island of Lesbos has been an organized city since 1054 B.C. The early harbor of Mytilene was united during ancient times with a channel 700 meters long and 30 meters wide. The Roman writer Longus speaks of white stone bridges linking the two sides. Mytilene contested successfully with Methymna in the north of the island for the leadership of the island in the 7th century BC and became the center of the island’s prosperous eastern hinterland. Her most famous citizens were the poets Sappho and Alcaeus and the statesman Pittacus (one of the Seven Sages of ancient Greece). The city was famed for its great output of electrum coins struck from the late 6th through mid-4th centuries BC. Mytilene revolted against Athens in 428 BC but was overcome by an Athenian expeditionary force. The Athenian public assembly voted to massacre all the men of the city and to sell the women and children into slavery but changed its mind the next day. LESBOSAfter a protracted struggle with Athens for Sigeum on the Hellespont and a naval defeat, Lésbos in 527 submitted to Persia, being freed only in 479 with the defeat of Persian naval forces. Lésbos then joined the Delian League under Athenian leadership. Early in the Peloponnesian War (431–404 bce), the Mytilene oligarchy forced a revolt that ended (428–27) with Athenian reprisals. Thereafter, Lésbos was repeatedly attacked by the Peloponnesians, falling to Sparta in 405. In 389 Thrasybulus recovered most of the island for Athens; in 377 it joined the Second Athenian League but in 333 served as a base for the Persian admiral Memnon against Alexander the Great of Macedonia and subsequently for other invaders until the Roman Pompey made Mytilene a free city.A True Auction Environment – Auctions start at $.99 with No Minimums and No Reserves. FULL UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE OF AUTHENTICITYIf the buyer feels that the coin received is not as represented - just return the coin and the buyer will be fully reimbursed for the cost of the coin; the original shipping charge; and the cost to ship the coin back… No Questions Asked. If the buyer is not happy, please let me know, and I will do what I can to make it right. NOTE: Frascatius is a life member (LM #6864) of the American Numismatic Association (ANA). Frascatius fully complies with the ANA Member Code of Ethics. If you have any questions regarding this auction, please click on “Ask seller a question”. I will be more than happy to provide you with a response. VISIT MY EBAY STORE: FRASCATIUS ANCIENT COINS For those new to ancient coins, please contact me, and I will e-mail to you my "Beginners Guide for Ancient Coin Collectors - FAQ" . SHIPPING:To the U.S. = $3.00 Insured Flat RateInternational = $4.50 Insured Flat Rate Multiple items may be grouped at no additional charge at the above rates. All items will be carefully packaged, protected & insured (private insurance).
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