Thessalian League, Silver Drachma
Dublin Core
Title
Thessalian League, Silver Drachma
Subject
Thessalian League (Roman Province of Macedonia), Larisa?, Silver Drachma, 168-100 BCE.
OBVERSE: Laureate head of Apollo facing right in profile, letter H left of neck.
REVERSE: Athena Itonia, advancing right with raised spear and shield. Inscription "QESSA-LWN" (Thessalon = of the Thessalians). Magistrate signature left and right of Athena's legs: "POLY". Most likely minted in Larisa.
OBVERSE: Laureate head of Apollo facing right in profile, letter H left of neck.
REVERSE: Athena Itonia, advancing right with raised spear and shield. Inscription "QESSA-LWN" (Thessalon = of the Thessalians). Magistrate signature left and right of Athena's legs: "POLY". Most likely minted in Larisa.
Description
The Thessalian League was a loose confederation of several Thessalian city-states. The largest city, Larisa, functioned as the seat of the league. The alliance existed even after the Roman province of Macedonia was founded in 146 BCE.
Apollo probably represents the league's involvement with the Delphic Amphictyony, an organization that participated heavily in the management and upkeep of the Temple of Apollo and its oracle in Delphi.
Athena Itonia graces the REVERSE of this coin, the patron goddess of the area. She is depicted as Athena Promachos (the Forefighter), advancing in full armor with spear and shield. The aegis, one of Athena’s identifying attributes, is the tasseled object shown around her neck. A hole was drilled into the coin in antiquity so it could be worn as an amulet or talisman on a necklace.
Apollo probably represents the league's involvement with the Delphic Amphictyony, an organization that participated heavily in the management and upkeep of the Temple of Apollo and its oracle in Delphi.
Athena Itonia graces the REVERSE of this coin, the patron goddess of the area. She is depicted as Athena Promachos (the Forefighter), advancing in full armor with spear and shield. The aegis, one of Athena’s identifying attributes, is the tasseled object shown around her neck. A hole was drilled into the coin in antiquity so it could be worn as an amulet or talisman on a necklace.
Source
Gift of James and Aneta McIntyre, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR. 2006.010.023
Date
ca. 168-100 BCE
Rights
Hallie Ford Museum of Art
Format
1.880 cm
3.900 gr
3.900 gr
Language
Greek
Type
Coin
Coverage
This item can be viewed on Hallie Ford Museum of Art's website.
Citation
“Thessalian League, Silver Drachma,” Hallie Ford Museum of Art Exhibits, accessed December 26, 2024, https://library.willamette.edu/hfma/omeka/items/show/75.