Syracuse, Sicily, Bronze Litra

Syracuse, Sicily, Bronze Litra

Syracuse, Sicily. Agathokles (317-289 BCE), Bronze Litra, Period 4, ca. 295 BCE.
OBVERSE: Head of Artemis, in profile facing right, hair bound in a ponytail-bun, with triple-pendant earring and necklace, quiver over shoulder. On the right, corroded inscription SWTEIRA (Soteira = "the (female) savior").
REVERSE: Fulmen (winged thunderbolt of Zeus) in center. Inscription on top: "AGAQOKLEOS" (Agathokleos = "of Agathokles"), on bottom: "BASILEW(S)" (basileos = "of the king").

Agathokles (361-289 BCE) was the son of a wealthy ceramics manufacturer who made himself king of Syracuse. He eventually ruled over much of East Sicily and even parts of mainland Italy. He had some military success against the Carthaginians but was eventually forced to sign a peace treaty in 306 BCE stating the river Halykos as the limit of Greek influence. Agathokles’ son and intended successor, also named Agathokles, was assassinated in 289 BCE. After his son died, and thus without a successor, Agathokles tried to restore the Syracusan democracy. He died of sickness soon after his son's death.

Artemis, the patron goddess of Syracuse, is shown on the obverse of this coin. There was an ancient temple dedicated to her on the island of Ortygia, which is located in Syracuse’s harbor. She is identifiable because of the quiver on her shoulder and her hairstyle, a ponytail/bun, which is typically worn by virgins. The reverse shows a fulmen, or lightning bolt of Zeus, a symbol of Agathokles’ kingship.

Gift of James and Aneta McIntyre, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR. 2006.010.030

ca. 304-289 BCE

Hallie Ford Museum of Art

1.970 cm
8.300 gr

Greek

Coin

This item can be viewed on Hallie Ford Museum of Art's website.