Deinomenid Tyranny 485-466 BC, AR Tetradrachm (16.85g).png
Deinomenid Tyranny 485-466 BC, AR Tetradrachm (16.85g) (2).png
Deinomenid Tyranny 485-466 BC, AR Tetradrachm (16.85g).png
Deinomenid Tyranny 485-466 BC, AR Tetradrachm (16.85g) (2).png

Sicilian Silver Tetradrachm (Large Silver Coin) from the Deinomenid Tyranny Period (about 2490 years ago)

$1,062.50 $1,250.00
sale

This large silver tetradrachm (worth four drachms) was minted between 485-466 BC during the Deinomenid Tyranny period in Sicily (island in the Mediterranean).

  • Front Side: Depicts a charioteer driving a slow quadriga (four-horse chariot) to the right with Nike (goddess of victory) flying above

  • Back Side: Features the diademed head of Arethusa (nymph associated with a spring in Syracuse) facing right, surrounded by four dolphins swimming clockwise

Technical Details:

Weight: 16.85 grams

References:

Sear: SG 914

Historical Significance: This coin was minted during the rule of the Deinomenid tyrants (Gelon, Hieron I, and Thrasybulus) who controlled Syracuse and much of Sicily. This period marked the height of Syracuse's power and prosperity, following their crucial victory over the Carthaginians at the Battle of Himera in 480 BC. The quadriga imagery on these coins often commemorated victories in the prestigious Panhellenic games, a source of great pride for Greek cities. The dolphins surrounding Arethusa symbolize the maritime nature of Syracuse, while the high artistic quality of these coins demonstrates the wealth and cultural sophistication of Sicily during this golden age of Greek colonization.

Add To Cart

This large silver tetradrachm (worth four drachms) was minted between 485-466 BC during the Deinomenid Tyranny period in Sicily (island in the Mediterranean).

  • Front Side: Depicts a charioteer driving a slow quadriga (four-horse chariot) to the right with Nike (goddess of victory) flying above

  • Back Side: Features the diademed head of Arethusa (nymph associated with a spring in Syracuse) facing right, surrounded by four dolphins swimming clockwise

Technical Details:

Weight: 16.85 grams

References:

Sear: SG 914

Historical Significance: This coin was minted during the rule of the Deinomenid tyrants (Gelon, Hieron I, and Thrasybulus) who controlled Syracuse and much of Sicily. This period marked the height of Syracuse's power and prosperity, following their crucial victory over the Carthaginians at the Battle of Himera in 480 BC. The quadriga imagery on these coins often commemorated victories in the prestigious Panhellenic games, a source of great pride for Greek cities. The dolphins surrounding Arethusa symbolize the maritime nature of Syracuse, while the high artistic quality of these coins demonstrates the wealth and cultural sophistication of Sicily during this golden age of Greek colonization.

This large silver tetradrachm (worth four drachms) was minted between 485-466 BC during the Deinomenid Tyranny period in Sicily (island in the Mediterranean).

  • Front Side: Depicts a charioteer driving a slow quadriga (four-horse chariot) to the right with Nike (goddess of victory) flying above

  • Back Side: Features the diademed head of Arethusa (nymph associated with a spring in Syracuse) facing right, surrounded by four dolphins swimming clockwise

Technical Details:

Weight: 16.85 grams

References:

Sear: SG 914

Historical Significance: This coin was minted during the rule of the Deinomenid tyrants (Gelon, Hieron I, and Thrasybulus) who controlled Syracuse and much of Sicily. This period marked the height of Syracuse's power and prosperity, following their crucial victory over the Carthaginians at the Battle of Himera in 480 BC. The quadriga imagery on these coins often commemorated victories in the prestigious Panhellenic games, a source of great pride for Greek cities. The dolphins surrounding Arethusa symbolize the maritime nature of Syracuse, while the high artistic quality of these coins demonstrates the wealth and cultural sophistication of Sicily during this golden age of Greek colonization.

Gelon also known as Gelo (Greek: Γέλων Gelon, gen.: Γέλωνος; died 478 BC), son of Deinomenes, was a Greek tyrant of the Sicilian cities Gela and Syracuse, Sicily, and first of the Deinomenid rulers.[1][2]

Gelon was the son of Deinomenes. According to Herodotus, Gelon's ancestors came from the island of Telos in the Aegean Sea and were the founders of the city of Gela in southern Sicily.[3] One of his later ancestors, Telines, was said to have reconciled his people after a period of civil strife through the divine rites of the Earth Goddesses; Herodotus infers that all of Telines' descendants, including Gelon, were priests of this cult.[3]

Gelon's three brothers were Hieron, Thrasybulus and Polyzalos.[4] Deinomenes consulted an oracle about the fates of his children, and was told that Gelon, Hieron and Thrasybulus were all destined to become tyrants.[citation needed]

You Might Also Like

Bronze Coin from Pergamon with Asclepius (about 2150-2250 years ago)
$40.80 $48.00
sale
Ancient Bronze Coin from Northern Syria: Made when Mark Antony and Cleopatra ruled the region (about 2,050 years ago)
$1,700.00 $2,000.00
sale
Alexander III (the Great)'s Silver Coin (about 2,350 years old)
$658.75 $775.00
sale
Antiochos VII Euergetes. 137-136 BC. Antioch on the Orontes Mint, Seleucid Empire. AE 16.6mm 4.28g.
$34.00 $40.00
sale
Macedonian Silver Drachm (Medium Silver Coin) of King Philip V (about 2205 years ago)
$935.00 $1,100.00
sale