Le più belle rappresentazioni di guerrieri

[King John]

Gemini, LLC, Auction XI, LOT 173, 12/01/2014

Ionia. Smyrna. c. 200 BC, concurrent with the earliest bronze Homereia. Drachm, 4.02g. (h). Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right. Border of dots. Rx: Homer seated left, himation draped over knees, holding scepter in left hand, reading from scroll held before him; [Σ]MYPNAIΩN before. Milne, NC 1921, p. 143 f. (same dies). Leu 38, 13 May 1986, lot 116 (same dies; realized Sfr 5800 + commission!) Milne 1914-. BMC (not in catalogue, an example was subsequently obtained by the BM). Grose-. SNG von Aulock-. SNG Cop.-. Slight wave in planchet at 10h. VF/Good Fine.
Excessively rare. Apparently the fourth known example and the second in private hands, the other two being in the collections of the British Museum and Utrecht (Dutch Royal Collection). Milne knew of the Utrecht example from a cast when he wrote his 1914 NC article on Smyrna silver coins but declined to include it in that article. Presumably he entertained doubts about its authenticity, although he couched these doubts in euphemism about being "puzzled" by the cast. His excitement at being able to confirm the authenticity of this dramatic and brilliantly executed type is evident in his later article devoted to it alone. He writes, "This drachma is clearly earlier in style than any of the Smyrnaean drachmas previously published, and differs from all in the treatment of the figure of Homer on the reverse, wherein it is artistically far superior to either the later drachmas or the bronze Homereia, which have a similar type. In both of the latter groups the figure is in simple profile, with the right hand up to the chin, the roll held out almost horizontally in the left, the sceptre transversely resting on the right shoulder, and the whole body draped: the general effect is clumsy and huddled. The coin now under consideration shows a more majestic treatment, which suggests a derivation from a Zeus type: the upper part of the body is partly turned out of profile to the front, the roll in the right hand is pointed upwards on the diagonal of the knee-angle, the sceptre is vertical, and only the legs are draped. In the execution as well as in the conception of the type the superiority is equally marked." Milne places this coin--correctly in our estimation--at the very beginning of the Homereia series at Smyrna. The absence of a magistrate's name points to the same conclusion. Milne saw the remnants of a monogram in the exergue of the BM coin, but we believe this to be a misreading as neither the present specimen nor the Leu example show anything at all below the exergual line. This is an opportunity to own what is arguably the finest depiction of the renowned poet Homer on any ancient coin .

illustrazione: Omero, tela su olio di William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1874

 

Modificato 8 Settembre, 2018 da King John

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., Triton XIII, lot 417, 5/01/2010

Contorniates. Late 4th century AD. Æ Contorniate (24.41 g, 12h). ωMH POC, bareheaded and draped bust of Greek epic poet Homer right; incuse PLE monogam to right / Helen standing right, clasping right hand with Paris (Alexander), who stands facing, head left, and wears Phrygian cap; Helen also touches his cheek with her left hand. Alföldi, Kontorniat 94 (Hector and Andromache), but without additional monogram. Near EF, attractive warm brown patina, a few minor pits on reverse. Extremely rare, only the second one known and the only one not in a public collection.
Based on the poorly preserved specimen known to him, Alföli described the reverse of this contorniate as depicting the farewell of Hector and Andromache, recounted in Book VI of Homer’s Iliad. Such an attribution is problematic for three reasons. First, Homer’s depiction of the farewell of Hector and Andromache is one of great sadness and pity, something quite out of place in the context of a festival or victory at the games for which these contorniates were intended. Secondly, the poorly preserved state of the example from the Museo Nazionale in Rome (the only specimen known to Alföldi), could be interpreted to show a man in military dress. Our example, however, clearly shows that the man’s headgear is a Phrgyian cap and that he is dressed for a journey and not for battle. Finally, Astyanax, the infant son of Hector and Andromache, who is central to the episode and should appear somewhere in this scene, is noticeably missing.
The more likely interpretation is that the figures represent Helen and Paris. The scene is one of happy intimacy between a man and a woman, and, although the abduction of Helen by Paris precipitated the Trojan War, and event which had a disastrous outcome for the Trojans, this particular scene is still in keeping with the contorniate’s festive context. The man’s outfit would comport with other known illustrations of Paris (cf. http://www.sewanee.edu/faculty/seiters/classdoc/images/U/14u.jpg [1st century AD painting from Pompeii]; http://www.vroma.org/images/mcmanus_images/judgmentparis2.jpg [2nd century AD mosaic from Antioch]).

ILLUSTRAZIONE Elena e Paride. Particolare di un cratere a campana apulo a figure rosse (IV secolo a.C.), museo del Louvres, Parigi.

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., Triton XXI, lot 164, 9/01/2018

The Staffieri Collection 
EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 23.83 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). AYT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC CЄB ЄYC, laureate head right / Achilles and the Centaur Chiron – The Centaur Chiron standing right, left foreleg raised, head left with his upper human torso turned facing, holding a helmet in his left hand, his right arm leading the young Achilles; Achilles is standing right, holding a spear with his right hand and a shield with his left; L Є (date) in exergue. Köln 1873 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) 2505 & 8369; K&G –; Emmett 1485.5 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 135 (this coin). VF, lovely dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Wonderful surfaces. Extremely rare, and probably the finest known specimen.
From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection. Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 218.
One of the great rarities of the Antoninus Pius mythological series from the Alexandria mint, and only the second that this cataloguer can recall being offered for sale: we have now handled this coin twice, and we recently sold a second specimen in our Classical Numismatic Review (Vol. XLII, No. 3, Summer 2017), lot 468723 = Dattari 8370. The present coin was one of the highlights of the 1990 auction of the Wetterstrom collection, realizing $3250 on the hammer. Dattari owned three examples (his nos. 2505, 8369, and 8370), and all three are equally worn. There are also examples in the Köln (cited above) and Paris collections (Mionnet 1949). Emmett cited two examples: the Wetterstrom coin and possibly an example in the ANS collection (1944.100.60963), but the ANS coin is actually "Hercules with the Centaur Pholos" (cf. Köln 1428).
"The wise and benevolent centaur Chiron, as tutor and guide, was given the custody of the sons of many ancient princes" and heroes (including Hercules). Another such pupil was Achilles, of Trojan War fame, who spent his formative years with Chiron. The reverse type on the present coin depicts Chiron leading the young Achilles, who carries a spear and shield, while Chiron holds his helmet.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: IL CENTAURO CHIRONE ISTRUISCE IL PICCOLO ACHILLE, OILIO SU TELA DI LUOIS JEAN F. LAGRENEE (1725-1805)

l

Modificato 8 Settembre, 2018 da King John

[dabbene]

Monete, storia, pittura, arte...quanti intrecci magici in un tondello ...

[eracle62]

10 ore fa, King John dice:

...in un quadro di Rubens....

..ed in un quadro di Enrique Simonet (1866-1927).

Non vale... così mi fai venire voglia di dipingere.. 

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 425	Auction date: 25 July 2018
Lot number: 539 Price realized: 260 USD   (Approx. 222 EUR / 198 GBP / 258 CHF)
Lot description: Maximianus. First reign, AD 286-305. AR Argenteus (18mm, 3.77 g, 6h). Treveri (Trier) mint. Struck circa AD 300-301. Laureate and cuirassed bust right / VICTORIA SARMAT, four tetrarchs sacrificing over tripod before camp with six towers; club in exergue. RIC VI 119b; RSC 549. Good VF, attractively toned. From the WRG Collection. Ex Coin Galleries (12 February 1992), lot 604; Frederick S. Knobloch Collection (Stack's, 1 May 1980), lot 1212. Estimate: 300 USD

ILLUSTRAZIONE: IL MOMUMENTO AI TETRARCHI. Da secoli incastonata nell’angolo Sud della basilica di San Marco, in prossimità dell’edificio di Palazzo Ducale, v’è una particolarissima opera che esula dall’origine del complesso architettonico in cui si trova: si tratta di un gruppo scultoreo in porfido rosso (il lapis porphyrites dei Romani, assunto dal periodo post tiberiano qualeemblema del potere imperiale) alto circa 130 centimetri, datato tra il III e il IV secolo. L’opera, entrata nella storia di Venezia solo dal Medioevo, affonda dunque le sue radici nel periodo tardoantico, all’epoca in cui l’amministrazione del vasto e articolato impero romano era ripartita nelle mani di quattro coreggenti, passati alla storia come Tetrarchi.  Il governo di tipo tetrarchico è stato introdotto a Roma nel 293, dopo una parentesi decennale di diarchia durante la quale l’imperatore Diocleziano era affiancato al potere da un secondo Augustus che lui stesso aveva designato, Massimiano; con l’ulteriore suddivisione territoriale in quattro aree d’influenza, per un totale di dodici diocesi, i due Augusti Diocleziano e Massimiano, al controllo l’uno dell’Oriente e l’altro dell’Occidente, nominarono due propri coadiutori che avrebbero regnato col titolo di Cesare: i prescelti furono, rispettivamente, Galerio e Costanzo Cloro. Nell’opera porfiretica di San Marco, che si presenta come un quadruplice ritratto a figura intera, sono tradizionalmente individuati proprio i coreggenti della prima Tetrarchia romana (293-305), qui riuniti in due coppie adiacenti, ognuna stretta in un abbraccio. Accettata, non senza eccezioni, l’identificazione delle quattro personalità con i primi Tetrarchi, non sembra vi sia lo stesso consenso sull’individuazione dei singoli personaggi: si discute, infatti, se le due coppie rappresentino l’abbraccio tra i due Augusti e quello tra i due Cesari, oppure se ogni gruppo raffiguri un Augusto che cinge col braccio destro il proprio Cesare. In tal senso, nella lettura dell’opera, gioca un ruolo principe proprio il singolare gesto dell’abbraccio che, se fosse vera la prima interpretazione, si farebbe simbolo della concordia augustorum (la cui iconografia è tuttavia più frequentemente espressa tramite una stretta di mano). Accogliendo la seconda tesi, forse la più valida, l’abbraccio sarebbe invece metafora confortante del sistema di continuità dinastica promosso da Diocleziano per la stabilità dell’impero.

 

Modificato 9 Settembre, 2018 da King John

[King John]

 

VAuctions > Auction 331	Auction date: 16 July 2018
Lot number: 249 Price realized: 230 USD   (Approx. 196 EUR / 174 GBP / 230 CHF)
Lot description: Time of the Tetrarchy. A.D. 293-313. PB seal (20 mm, 5.85 g). Confronted busts of the four tetrarchs, each radiate, draped, and cuirassed / Blank. Tan-brown patina. Small scuff obscuring one portrait, the remaining busts with sharp detail. Good very fine.  Estimate: 100 USD

[King John]

Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch GmbH > E-Auction 26	Auction date: 15 March 2018
Lot number: 193 Price realized: 50 EUR   (Approx. 62 USD / 44 GBP / 59 CHF)
Lot description: SASANIDEN. Yazdgard I. (399-421). Drachme (3,95g). Büste des Königs mit Krone / Feueraltar zwischen zwei Wächterfiguren. Göbl Typ I/1 (vgl. Tf. 9, 147). Stellenweise leichte Hornsilberauflagen, leichter Doppelschlag. s.sch.-vzgl. Starting Price: 30 EUR

[King John]

CGB.fr, Monnaies 55, lo7 8, 17/10/2012

SICILY - MESSANA Litra, (MB, Æ 24) c. 300-288 AC. Sicile, Messine R2 copper (23,5mm, 6,50g, 3h)
Obverse : Anépigraphe Tête de la nymphe Pélorias à gauche, couronnée de roseaux ; devant, deux dauphins (non visibles sur notre exemplaire)
Reverse : Hoplite (guerrier) nu, casqué, le bouclier sur l’épaule gauche, tenant une longue javeline transversale, la chlamyde pendant au sol
Ref : BMC.81 ANS.394 MIAMG.4452 (R) (425€) GC.1136 Cop.-
Grade : VF
Coments on the condition : Exemplaire sur un flan ovale et irrégulier, décentré au droit à l’usure importante, mais parfaitement lisible. Frappe molle au droit sur la tête de la nymphe. Revers bien venu à la frappe. Jolie patine vert olive foncé
Starting Price : 145.00 Euro
Estimate : 250.00 Euro

ILLUSTRAZIONE: UN OPLITA DEL V SECOLO A.C.  SCORTATO DA UN INSERVIENTE (SKENOPOROS) ADDETTO AL TRASPORTO DEI SUOI EFFETTI PERSONALI

Modificato 9 Settembre, 2018 da King John

[eracle62]

7 ore fa, King John dice:

CGB.fr, Monnaies 55, lo7 8, 17/10/2012

SICILY - MESSANA Litra, (MB, Æ 24) c. 300-288 AC. Sicile, Messine R2 copper (23,5mm, 6,50g, 3h)
Obverse : Anépigraphe Tête de la nymphe Pélorias à gauche, couronnée de roseaux ; devant, deux dauphins (non visibles sur notre exemplaire)
Reverse : Hoplite (guerrier) nu, casqué, le bouclier sur l’épaule gauche, tenant une longue javeline transversale, la chlamyde pendant au sol
Ref : BMC.81 ANS.394 MIAMG.4452 (R) (425€) GC.1136 Cop.-
Grade : VF
Coments on the condition : Exemplaire sur un flan ovale et irrégulier, décentré au droit à l’usure importante, mais parfaitement lisible. Frappe molle au droit sur la tête de la nymphe. Revers bien venu à la frappe. Jolie patine vert olive foncé
Starting Price : 145.00 Euro
Estimate : 250.00 Euro

ILLUSTRAZIONE: UN OPLITA DEL V SECOLO A.C.  SCORTATO DA UN INSERVIENTE (SKENOPOROS) ADDETTO AL TRASPORTO DEI SUOI EFFETTI PERSONALI

Questa...questa...povera ma ricca..

 

Capo Peloro, adesso una pacifica lingua sabbiosa, è stata, secondo la leggenda, una terra abitata da divinità ed esseri mostruosi. Per comprendere a fondo il significato di Peloro, è necessario partire dal nome. Il termine “Peloro”, che noi oggi utilizziamo per indicare la punta nord-orientale della Sicilia, deriva dal greco e indica qualcosa di prodigioso, mostruoso, fuori dal comune. Il suo derivato, “pelorios”, lo troviamo associato a divinità guerriere quali Ares, a eroi eccezionali quali Eracle e Achille, a creature gigantesche e mostruose come Polifemo o, ancora, legato a mostri marini come Scilla che, nella tradizione, hanno la loro sede nell’area dello Stretto.
Si tratta di un termine che rimanda all’idea di rapido movimento, di mutevolezza; infatti, le caratteristiche dei fenomeni geofisici, il complesso sistema delle correnti marine e le peculiarità di eventi traumatici come i sismi, ci riconducono proprio alle acque dello Stretto. Noi oggi siamo in grado di spiegare questi fenomeni, un tempo annoverati tra i mirabilia e di comprendere i meccanismi che ne stanno alla base, rivelando allo stesso tempo la peculiarità di questo straordinario sito che, in maniera del tutto pertinente, continua a essere chiamato “Peloro”.
Personaggio connesso con il Promontorio del Peloro è, secondo il mito, la ninfa Pelorias, la quale abitava tra le paludi della zona. La ninfa compare su monete coniate dalla zecca di Messana alla fine del V sec. a.C. ed in età agotoclea. Sembra però che la sua origine sia ben più antica; secondo la tradizione mitica sarebbe stata una dea madre, dall’aspetto gigantesco, posta a difesa del territorio e sostenuta, nella sua impresa, da Feramone, uno dei sette figli di Eolo. Sul diritto della moneta, ritroviamo la personificazione dello Stretto di Messina, Pelorias. La ninfa e’ rivolta verso sinistra, con i capelli raccolti sulla nuca e trattenuti da una ghirlanda di foglie di canna, a simboleggiare la zona paludosa alla quale era connessa. Questo territorio era difeso dal guerriero Feramone, il quale compare sul rovescio della moneta. Esso è raffigurato nell’atto di incedere verso sinistra, armato di scudo e lancia. Attributo principale della Ninfa è la conchiglia, anch’essa detta Pelorias, la più grande del Mediterraneo, molto diffusa nell’area dello Stretto. Si tratta della pinna nobilis, dai cui filamenti si tesseva una tela pregiata (bisso).

[King John]

Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG, Auction 67, lot 212, 17/10/2012

The Roman Empire
Diocletian, 284-305
Aureus, Treveri circa 293-294, AV 5.36 g. DIOCLETI – ANVS P F AVG Laureate head r. Rev. IOVI FVL – GERATORI Jupiter advancing r., holding thunderbolt and striking down Titan; in exergue. P T. C 285 var. (PR in exergue). Lukanc 8 (this coin cited). RIC 20. Depeyrot 1a/5. Calicó 4526 (these dies).
Very rare. An almost invisible graffito on neck, otherwise extremely fine Ex HSA 22152.
The reverse of this aureus of Trier, like so many of the period 293-294, presents a novel type of historical interest. The need for fresh propaganda ran high at this moment, for the emperors Diocletian and Maximian had each selected a junior colleague to help them rule their vast territories. In the West, Maximian had chosen his praetorian prefect Constantius, who in recent years had proven to be loyal and effective. One goal of this imperial expansion was to mount a new offensive against Carausius, the rebel who since 286/7 had ruled Britain and parts of coastal Gaul.
To meet the needs of this great effort, a temporary mint was established at Iantinum (Meaux) and the Trier mint resumed production after about 20 years of inactivity. This coin type describes Jupiter, the patron of Diocletian, as fulgerator (“thunderbolt hurler”) and shows him aiming his bolt at an anguipede, on whose head Jupiter places his hand. This creature beseeches Jupiter for mercy, which the god does not seem prepared to grant. Interestingly, a passage in the panegyric of 291 makes reference to Jupiter (i.e. Diocletian) and his battle with these creatures (Pan. Lat. XI(3) 3.4). The creature is called a giant by Cohen and a Titan by Pink, and Bastien suggests it is none other than Typhoeus (Typhon), the most formidable giant defeated by Zeus.
Based on the events of the era, the creature can only represent Carausius, and Zeus the emperor Diocletian. The renewed efforts against Carausius were successful: in 293 Constantius was able to besiege and take the Gallic port city of Boulogne, thus starving the rebel of his main base on the continent. Perhaps because of that critical loss, upon returning to Britain Carausius was murdered by his successor, Allectus. Though the Romano-British Empire was still intact in Britain, its time would soon expire as fresh preparations were being made for a full-scale invasion of the island that would take place in 296.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: ZEUS E IL GIGANTE PORFIRIONE, KYLIX A FIGURE ROSSE DEL V SECOLO A.C.

Nella mitologia greca, Porfirione era uno dei Giganti, e figlio di Urano e di Gea. Insieme ai suoi fratelli, venne istigato dalla madre, Gea, ad attaccare Zeus e quindi tutti gli Olimpi, nel corso della Gigantomachia. Cadde trafitto, insieme al fratello mostro Tifone, sotto le frecce del dio Apollo. La versione più comune racconta che Porfirione, uno dei Giganti più potenti della Gigantomachia, combatté con ferocia al fianco del fratello Alcioneo. Morto questo, attaccò violentemente Era, riuscendo a strangolarla, ma una freccia scagliata da Eros, lo ferì al diaframma. Indignato, si accanì sulla dea, tentando di violentarla, ma, mentre le strappava di dosso i vestiti, Zeus irato intervenne scagliando un enorme folgore sul nemico. Colpito a morte, Porfirione indietreggiò, quando all'improvviso Eracle, alleato di Zeus, balzò su di lui finendolo con una freccia e a colpi di clava (WIKIPEDIA)

 

[King John]

Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG, Auction 79, lot 2, 20/01/2014

JDL Collection Part II: Geek Coins 
SICILY 
HIMERA, didrachm c. 483-472, Attic standard, AR 8.49 g. Obv. HIMERA Cockerel standing left. Rev. Crab seen from above. Literature Traité II/1, 2379–2380, pl. LXXX, 17–18 BMC Sicily 78, 24 SNG ANS 160 (same dies) E. Gabrici, Topografia e numismatica dell’antica Imera (e di Terme) , Naples, 1894, pl. III, 8–11 G. K. Jenkins, ”Himera: The Coins of Akragantine Type”, La monetazione arcaica di Himera fino al 472 A.C. Atti del II Convegno del Centro internazionale di studi numismatici, Napoli 15-19 aprile 1969 , Supplemento Annali 16–17, 1971, pl. 3, 6–7 (same obverse die) G. E. Rizzo, Monete greche della Sicilia , Rome, 1946, pl. 21, 5 Antikenmuseum Basel 301 U. Westermark, ”Himera. The Coins of Akragantine Type. 2. Based on a Catalogue by Kenneth Jenkins”, Travaux de numismatique grecque offerts à Georges Le Rider , London, 1999, pl. 48, 56 (this coin) M.-M. Bendenoun, Coins of the Ancient World, A portrait of the JDL Collection , Tradart, Genève, 2009, 3 (this coin) Condition In an exceptional state of preservation. Perfectly struck and centred on a large flan. Lovely old cabinet tone and good extremely fine. Provenance Bank Leu AG 42, Zürich 1987, lot, 84. Monnaies et Médailles SA 28, Basel 1964, lot 40. Ars Classica 17, Luzern 1934, lot 156. In the early years of the 5th Century B.C. Sicily was rife with conflict involving not only the competing indigenous and Greek powers, but also the Carthaginians, who for centuries had been present in the western part of the island. In the eastern part of Sicily, the Syracusan tyrant Gelon had successfully transformed his city and its dependencies into a regional power. As part of his efforts Gelon had allied himself with Theron, the tyrant of Acragas, on the southern coast of central Sicily. In 483 B.C., Theron captured Himera, a Greek settlement in central Sicily, though far to the north. The ousted tyrant of Himera, Terillus, along with Anaxilas of Rhegium, appealed to the Carthaginians for assistance. Though it took three years for them to commit and mobilise, the Carthaginians assembled a massive army and navy with which they hoped to liberate Himera and halt the brazen expansion of Syracusan-Acragantine authority so near their territories. In 480, the same year that the Persians led their second invasion of Greece, Carthaginians under the general Hamilcar besieged Himera. Theron, who led the defence of his newly acquired city, appealed to Gelon for aid. Gelon responded with a large relief force that proved critical in defeating the Carthaginian siege effort, though different accounts exist of the course of victory. Herodotus indicates there was a pitched battle in which the Greeks emerged victorious and forced Hamilcar to commit suicide. Diodorus offers a different and more detailed version in which the Syracusan ca- valry infiltrated the Carthaginian camps in the guise of friendly reinforcements from Selinus, allowing the Greeks to triumph in the fighting that followed. This monumental defeat ushered in an enduring period of Syracusan authority and peace with the Carthaginians, who were allowed to maintain their settlements in the West. It is in the context of these great events that the cock-crab didrachms of Himera are thought to have been struck – a theory that appears to be supported by hoard evidence. The conspi- cuous adoption of the crab as a reverse type at Himera has been seen as a reflection of Theron’s intervention of 483, and of the conflict with Carthage that followed. The standing cock (which on earlier issues had been paired with reverse a punch die of the mill-sail pattern) clearly was a badge for Himera in the same way that the standing eagle was for Acragas. Both must have represented deities – the eagle of Acragas for Zeus, and the cock of Himera almost certainly for Asclepius, who likely was worshipped at the famous healing baths near the city.

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., Triton V, lot 367, 15/01/2002

ATTICA, Eleusis
Estimate $450
ATTICA, Eleusis . Circa 350's-330's BC. Æ 17mm (3.86 gm). Triptolemos, holding grain ear in right hand, seated left in winged chariot being drawn by two snakes / ELEUSI, pig standing right on mystic staff; pig's head and ivy leaf below. Kroll 38; Svoronos pl. 103, 2-3; SNG Copenhagen 414; BMC Attica pg. 113, 12-13; cf. Laffaille 357; Imhoof-Blumer (op. cit.), pl. EE, Eleusis, xi-xx. Good VF, black patina, nicely centered. ($450)
This statue of Triptolemos was presumably still in its temple when Pausanias (I. 38, 6) visited Eleusis in about AD 160: " The Eleusians have a temple to Triptolemos...... They say that the plain called Rharion was the first to be sown and the first to grow crops... Here is shown a threshing floor and altar. My dream forbade the description of the things within the wall of the sanctuary, and the uninitiated are of course not permitted to learn that which they are prevented from seeing."

ILLUSTRAZIONE: Rilievo eleusinio che raffigura Trittolemo fra Demetra e Kore. Trittolemo è un eroe greco legato al mito eleusino di Demetra. Dapprima considerato semplicemente re di Eleusi, fu poi detto figlio di Celeo e di Metanira e fratello di Demofonte. Per l’ospitalità ricevuta a Eleusi Demetra decise di insegnare a Trittolemo l'arte dell'agricoltura, cosicché potesse trasmettere la sua conoscenza ai Greci a insegnar loro a piantare e mietere i raccolti. Sotto la protezione di Demetra volò per tutta la regione su un carro trainato da draghi alati per compiere la sua missione. Più tardi Trittolemo divenne giudice dei morti agli Inferi, dove figura talvolta a fianco di Eaco, Minosse e Radamanto. Si attribuiva a Trittolemo l’istituzione delle Tesmoforie. Trittolemo è rappresentato in vasi attici, nei rilievi eleusini, in sarcofagi o in lucerne di età romana. Dapprima raffigurato come un eroe barbato, assume, a partire dalla fine del 5° sec. a.C., aspetto giovanile; spesso ha un mazzo di spighe in mano e ha accanto Demetra e Core (Treccani.it)

 

Modificato 10 Settembre, 2018 da King John

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., Triton XXI, lot 90, 9/01/2018

The Staffieri Collection 
EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.49 g, 12h). Dated RY 21 (AD 136/137). AVT KAIC TPAIA A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate head right / Triptolemus driving biga of serpents right; L KA (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 1487 (this coin); K&G 32.724; RPC III 6138/1 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 310–described in RPC as DS 7477 in error); Emmett 900.21; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 61 (this coin–described as DS 7478 in error). Near EF, toned. Great metal quality. Well centered and struck.
From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection, purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1487.

[King John]

Roma Numismatics Limited, E-SALE 3, lot 139; 30.11.2013  
Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm.
Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Struck circa 113/2 BC. Eumareides, Alkidam..., and Thoi..., magistrates. Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right on amphora; to right, Triptolemos in chariot drawn by serpents left; A on amphora, ME below. Thompson 670. 16.62g, 29mm, 12h. Toned, Very Fine.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: TRITTOLEMO RAFFIGURATO SU UNA KYLIX ATTICA DEL V SECOLO A.C., OPERA DEL CD. PITTORE DI JENA (MUSEI VATTICANI)

[eracle62]

13 ore fa, King John dice:

Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG, Auction 67, lot 212, 17/10/2012

The Roman Empire
Diocletian, 284-305
Aureus, Treveri circa 293-294, AV 5.36 g. DIOCLETI – ANVS P F AVG Laureate head r. Rev. IOVI FVL – GERATORI Jupiter advancing r., holding thunderbolt and striking down Titan; in exergue. P T. C 285 var. (PR in exergue). Lukanc 8 (this coin cited). RIC 20. Depeyrot 1a/5. Calicó 4526 (these dies).
Very rare. An almost invisible graffito on neck, otherwise extremely fine Ex HSA 22152.
The reverse of this aureus of Trier, like so many of the period 293-294, presents a novel type of historical interest. The need for fresh propaganda ran high at this moment, for the emperors Diocletian and Maximian had each selected a junior colleague to help them rule their vast territories. In the West, Maximian had chosen his praetorian prefect Constantius, who in recent years had proven to be loyal and effective. One goal of this imperial expansion was to mount a new offensive against Carausius, the rebel who since 286/7 had ruled Britain and parts of coastal Gaul.
To meet the needs of this great effort, a temporary mint was established at Iantinum (Meaux) and the Trier mint resumed production after about 20 years of inactivity. This coin type describes Jupiter, the patron of Diocletian, as fulgerator (“thunderbolt hurler”) and shows him aiming his bolt at an anguipede, on whose head Jupiter places his hand. This creature beseeches Jupiter for mercy, which the god does not seem prepared to grant. Interestingly, a passage in the panegyric of 291 makes reference to Jupiter (i.e. Diocletian) and his battle with these creatures (Pan. Lat. XI(3) 3.4). The creature is called a giant by Cohen and a Titan by Pink, and Bastien suggests it is none other than Typhoeus (Typhon), the most formidable giant defeated by Zeus.
Based on the events of the era, the creature can only represent Carausius, and Zeus the emperor Diocletian. The renewed efforts against Carausius were successful: in 293 Constantius was able to besiege and take the Gallic port city of Boulogne, thus starving the rebel of his main base on the continent. Perhaps because of that critical loss, upon returning to Britain Carausius was murdered by his successor, Allectus. Though the Romano-British Empire was still intact in Britain, its time would soon expire as fresh preparations were being made for a full-scale invasion of the island that would take place in 296.

ILLUSTRAZIONE: ZEUS E IL GIGANTE PORFIRIONE, KYLIX A FIGURE ROSSE DEL V SECOLO A.C.

Nella mitologia greca, Porfirione era uno dei Giganti, e figlio di Urano e di Gea. Insieme ai suoi fratelli, venne istigato dalla madre, Gea, ad attaccare Zeus e quindi tutti gli Olimpi, nel corso della Gigantomachia. Cadde trafitto, insieme al fratello mostro Tifone, sotto le frecce del dio Apollo. La versione più comune racconta che Porfirione, uno dei Giganti più potenti della Gigantomachia, combatté con ferocia al fianco del fratello Alcioneo. Morto questo, attaccò violentemente Era, riuscendo a strangolarla, ma una freccia scagliata da Eros, lo ferì al diaframma. Indignato, si accanì sulla dea, tentando di violentarla, ma, mentre le strappava di dosso i vestiti, Zeus irato intervenne scagliando un enorme folgore sul nemico. Colpito a morte, Porfirione indietreggiò, quando all'improvviso Eracle, alleato di Zeus, balzò su di lui finendolo con una freccia e a colpi di clava (WIKIPEDIA)

 

Ma tu sei un genio...

A parte l'aureo che è strabiliante ed incantevole..

Sei riuscito a trovare l'aneddoto degli aneddoti mitologici..

Due frecce, due miti, due io..

Eros ed Eracle, due grandissimi..

Questa storia dovrebbe far riflettere molta gente..mi ricorda qualcosa..

 

[King John]

Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG

Auction R, lot 1169, 17/05/2007

Greek Coins
Kings of Pergamum
No.: 1169
Estimate: CHF 400
d=33 mm
Attalus I, 241-197. Tetradrachm 241-197, AR 16.61 g. Dewing 2208. VF

 

ILLUSTRAZIONE: ATTALO I SCONFIGGE I GALATI

[dabbene]

E’ il mio appuntamento giornaliero ormai passare di qui, ogni giorno una moneta e una storia, come il caffè ...diciamo un bel caffè Numismatico ?, sorseggiate con noi la divulgazione e qui c’e’...c’e’

[King John]

Chaponnière & Firmenich SA, Auction 8, lot 4, 5707/2017

CELTIC. Gaul.
Parisii. Gold stater, ca. 100-50 BC. Class 2. Obv. Stylized head of Apollo right. Rev. Stylized horse galloping left, ornate wing above, rosette below. BN 7782; Blanchet 343; CdB p. 8-9, 1-6 (class 2). Gold. 7.32 g. Very rare.
XF
Due to the modernity of their style, the gold staters of the Parisii are among the most valuable and sought-after coins of Celtic Gaul. The exceptional profile portrait featured on the obverse of this rare Class 2 specimen offers surprising parallels with certain Cubist or Surrealist portraits. This is not surprising when we know that artists such as André Breton collected them for these reasons. They are, according to him and André Malraux, rare testimonies of an early Western art, an original culture anterior to the arrival in Gaul, of the Greco-Latin traditions brought from Rome, and then imposed by Caesar. The Parisii derived their important resources from the control of the middle region of the Seine River. Gold was abundant because the river was one of the main trading routes to Cornwall, where tin was extracted and then exported all over Europe, to produce bronze of high quality. Legend has it that the Parisii had taken as their capital, the "Ile de la Cité", in the heart of Paris, and named it Lutetia. The archaeological reality seems less romantic: it was actually Nanterre, the present traffic filled sub-urban zone, where they seem to have settled... This tribe particularly distinguished themselves for their resistance against the Roman invader, and would furnish nearly eight thousand men to the Celtic coalition led by Vercingetorix. The territory of the Parisii would be the last battlefield of the belligerents, and where the Gallic War ended. Less rare than the Class 1, this Class 2 type appears very rarely on the market.
En raison de la modernité de leur style, les statères en or des Parisii figurent parmi les monnaies gauloises les plus appréciées et les plus recherchées. L'exceptionnel profil figuré au droit de ce rare exemplaire de la classe 2 offre de surprenants parallèles avec certains portraits cubistes ou surréalistes. Rien d'étonnant quand on sait que des artistes tels qu'André Breton les collectionnaient pour ces raisons. Ces statères sont, selon lui et André Malraux, les rares témoins d'un art premier occidental, d'une culture originelle antérieure à l'arrivée en Gaule de la pensée gréco-latine, apportée par Rome puis imposée par César. Les Parisii tirent leurs importantes ressources du contrôle de la Seine dans sa partie médiane. L'or abonde car le fleuve est l'un des principaux axes permettant d'atteindre la Cornouaille où l'étain est extrait puis exporté partout en Europe, afin de produire du bronze de grande qualité. La tradition veut que les Parisii prennent pour capitale l'Île de la Cité, au coeur de Paris, et la nomment Lutèce. La réalité archéologique semble moins romantique : ce serait plutôt à Nanterre, en pleine zone périurbaine et autoroutière, qu'ils s'implantent... Cette tribu s'illustre notamment dans la résistance face à l'envahisseur romain. Non seulement, elle fournit près de huit mille hommes à la coalition gauloise menée par Vercingétorix, mais surtout le territoire des Parisii est le dernier lieu où s'opposent les belligérants et où la Guerre des Gaules prend fin. Bien que moins rare que la classe 1, la classe 2 apparaît rarement sur le marché.

[King John]

The New York Sale, Auction XXVII, lot 452, 4/01/2012

The Prospero Collection of Ancient Greek Coins. MYSIA. Kyzikos (c.450-400 B.C.), Electrum Stater, 16.03g. The Earth (Gaia) rising-up out of the ground, wearing a chiton, and holding-out the infant Erichthonios, a tunny below. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square of mill-sail pattern (W. Greenwell, ‘The Electrum Coinage of Cyzicus’, NC 1887, 31, pl. II, 8; Von Fritze, Nomisma VII, 157, pl. V, 5; BMC 65, pl. VI, 11; Boston 1500). Good very fine, very rare and a fascinating mythological type. Purchased from Athena, Munich, 19 September 1988 The myth depicted on this fascinating coin is that of the handing-over of Erichthonius by Gaia to Athena. Erichthonius was born of Gaia and, after being entrusted to Athena, was given to Agraulos, Herse and Pondrosos, the daughters of Kekrops, the first king of Athens. When they saw Erichthonius, his anguipedic appearance shocked them to such an extent that they hurled themselves from the Acropolis. This left him to become king of Athens after the death of Kekrops and to found a new dynasty. Greenwell (p. 63) assumes that the representation is probably taken from an original in marble. US$ 22,000

ILLUSTRAZIONE: GEA PARTORISCE ERITTONIO E LO CONSEGNA NELLE MANI DI ATENA

Poseidone, ancora arrabbiato perchè la città di Atene aveva scelto come patrono Atena e non lui, aveva convinto Efesto che Atena sarebbe andata per amoreggiare con lui usando la scusa di cercare un'armatura nuova. Atena si recò effettivamente da Efesto desiderosa di farsi fabbricare delle armi ma questi, da poco abbandonato da Afrodite e preso dal desiderio di possederla, iniziò a inseguirla. 
Atena fuggì e, quando Efesto riuscì a raggiungerla, non si lasciò possedere. Il dio sparse sulle gambe di Atena il proprio seme che la dea scagliò a terra con ribrezzo, dopo essersi ripulita con un panno di lana. 
A causa di questo gesto Gea (la Terra) divenne gravida e da questa gravidanza nacque Erittonio che fu affidato ad Atena e divenne re della città di Atene.

Modificato 11 Settembre, 2018 da King John

[King John]

Jean Elsen & ses Fils S.A.

Auction 134, lot 241, 9/09/2017

PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM 
ROYAUME LAGIDE, Ptolémée II Philadelphe (285-246), AR drachme, 274-237 av. J.-C., Alexandrie. D/ T. de Ptolémée Ier à d., le cou dr. de l''égide. R/ ΠΤΟΛEMAIOY- ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ Aigle à g. sur un foudre, les ailes ouvertes. A g.,  au-dessus d''un bouclier. Entre les pattes, Θ. Svoronos 570; SNG Cop. 111. 3,42g Très rare Traces de corrosion.
Très Beau
Very Fine

ILLUSTRAZIONE: MERCENARIO GALATA

Secondo Catharine Lorber (Dating the Portrait Coinage of Ptolemy I, ANS 24, 2012 pag.39) lo scudo galata al rovescio di questa moneta allude alla rivolta dei mercenari galati  contro Tolomeo II scoppiata nel 275 a.C. e risolta con il loro completo massacro su un'isola deserta del Nilo.

 

Modificato 11 Settembre, 2018 da King John

[eracle62]

8 ore fa, King John dice:

The New York Sale, Auction XXVII, lot 452, 4/01/2012

The Prospero Collection of Ancient Greek Coins. MYSIA. Kyzikos (c.450-400 B.C.), Electrum Stater, 16.03g. The Earth (Gaia) rising-up out of the ground, wearing a chiton, and holding-out the infant Erichthonios, a tunny below. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square of mill-sail pattern (W. Greenwell, ‘The Electrum Coinage of Cyzicus’, NC 1887, 31, pl. II, 8; Von Fritze, Nomisma VII, 157, pl. V, 5; BMC 65, pl. VI, 11; Boston 1500). Good very fine, very rare and a fascinating mythological type. Purchased from Athena, Munich, 19 September 1988 The myth depicted on this fascinating coin is that of the handing-over of Erichthonius by Gaia to Athena. Erichthonius was born of Gaia and, after being entrusted to Athena, was given to Agraulos, Herse and Pondrosos, the daughters of Kekrops, the first king of Athens. When they saw Erichthonius, his anguipedic appearance shocked them to such an extent that they hurled themselves from the Acropolis. This left him to become king of Athens after the death of Kekrops and to found a new dynasty. Greenwell (p. 63) assumes that the representation is probably taken from an original in marble. US$ 22,000

ILLUSTRAZIONE: GEA PARTORISCE ERITTONIO E LO CONSEGNA NELLE MANI DI ATENA

Poseidone, ancora arrabbiato perchè la città di Atene aveva scelto come patrono Atena e non lui, aveva convinto Efesto che Atena sarebbe andata per amoreggiare con lui usando la scusa di cercare un'armatura nuova. Atena si recò effettivamente da Efesto desiderosa di farsi fabbricare delle armi ma questi, da poco abbandonato da Afrodite e preso dal desiderio di possederla, iniziò a inseguirla. 
Atena fuggì e, quando Efesto riuscì a raggiungerla, non si lasciò possedere. Il dio sparse sulle gambe di Atena il proprio seme che la dea scagliò a terra con ribrezzo, dopo essersi ripulita con un panno di lana. 
A causa di questo gesto Gea (la Terra) divenne gravida e da questa gravidanza nacque Erittonio che fu affidato ad Atena e divenne re della città di Atene.

I tondelli in Elettro mi hanno sempre affascinato per il colore e il materiale che ha una luce particolare.

Questo statere primeggia per bellezza e voce..

Mi parla come tanti altri, ma questo esemplare è degno di nota per l'intensità espressiva di Gea ed Erittonio.

Il piccolo Erittonio, ha una dinamicità incredibile, e poi il tonno posto al di sotto, altra piccola chicca.

L'incisore merita sicuramente una lode per il risultato del disegno e del movimento alle figure.

 per non parlare dell'episodio mitologico, stupendo..

[dabbene]

13 ore fa, King John dice:

The New York Sale, Auction XXVII, lot 452, 4/01/2012

The Prospero Collection of Ancient Greek Coins. MYSIA. Kyzikos (c.450-400 B.C.), Electrum Stater, 16.03g. The Earth (Gaia) rising-up out of the ground, wearing a chiton, and holding-out the infant Erichthonios, a tunny below. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square of mill-sail pattern (W. Greenwell, ‘The Electrum Coinage of Cyzicus’, NC 1887, 31, pl. II, 8; Von Fritze, Nomisma VII, 157, pl. V, 5; BMC 65, pl. VI, 11; Boston 1500). Good very fine, very rare and a fascinating mythological type. Purchased from Athena, Munich, 19 September 1988 The myth depicted on this fascinating coin is that of the handing-over of Erichthonius by Gaia to Athena. Erichthonius was born of Gaia and, after being entrusted to Athena, was given to Agraulos, Herse and Pondrosos, the daughters of Kekrops, the first king of Athens. When they saw Erichthonius, his anguipedic appearance shocked them to such an extent that they hurled themselves from the Acropolis. This left him to become king of Athens after the death of Kekrops and to found a new dynasty. Greenwell (p. 63) assumes that the representation is probably taken from an original in marble. US$ 22,000

ILLUSTRAZIONE: GEA PARTORISCE ERITTONIO E LO CONSEGNA NELLE MANI DI ATENA

Poseidone, ancora arrabbiato perchè la città di Atene aveva scelto come patrono Atena e non lui, aveva convinto Efesto che Atena sarebbe andata per amoreggiare con lui usando la scusa di cercare un'armatura nuova. Atena si recò effettivamente da Efesto desiderosa di farsi fabbricare delle armi ma questi, da poco abbandonato da Afrodite e preso dal desiderio di possederla, iniziò a inseguirla. 
Atena fuggì e, quando Efesto riuscì a raggiungerla, non si lasciò possedere. Il dio sparse sulle gambe di Atena il proprio seme che la dea scagliò a terra con ribrezzo, dopo essersi ripulita con un panno di lana. 
A causa di questo gesto Gea (la Terra) divenne gravida e da questa gravidanza nacque Erittonio che fu affidato ad Atena e divenne re della città di Atene.

Che si facessero dei gioielli così tra le prime monete della storia in incuso e in elettro e’ stupefacente ed e’ il bello della numismatica, scene e rappresentazioni leggendarie che fanno venire veramente voglia di collezionare ancora, continua così che ti seguiamo !

[King John]

Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., Web Shop 802145.
Sold For $16500
MYSIA, Kyzikos. 5th-4th century BC. EL Hekte (9mm, 2.71 g). Kekrops left on tunny, holding branch / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 158; SNG France 306; SNG Copenhagen -; cf. BMC 66 (stater); SNG von Aulock -; Boston MFA -. Superb EF. Very rare. A powerful obverse design of exceptional execution by a talented die engraver.
Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XXVII (4 December 1991), lot 57.
Kekrops was a snakelike being who was the mythical first king of Athens; his name became synonymous with Attica. He is credited with introducing writing and customs in Athens. This small gem of a coin has a perfectly shaped flan for the design, so well executed in a series with few truly remarkable obverse types.

 ILLUSTRAZIONE : CECROPE

 Cecrope (in greco antico: Κέκροψ, Kèkrops) è un personaggio della mitologia greca e fu il primo mitologico re di Atene. Sposò Agraulo, figlia di Atteo, dalla quale nacquero le figlie Aglauro, Erse e Pandroso e fu padre anche del maschio Erisittone che non ebbe figli. Nacque dal suolo stesso dell'Attica e chiamò la sua terra "Cercopia". Era rappresentato con un uomo rettile^[2] poiché nell'antichità il serpente era uno dei simboli della terra. Cecrope riunì gli abitanti originari dell'Attica e li divise in dodici demi (comuni) che secondo Strabone ebbero i nomi di Kekropia, Tetrapolis, Epakria, Dekelea, Eleusis, Aphidna, Thorikos, Brauron, Kytheros, Sphettos, Kephisia e Phaleron e condusse un censimento in cui ogni abitante dovette portare una pietra (contando le pietre si sarebbe poi saputo il numero degli abitanti). Costruì il castello di Cercopia sull'Acropoli ed introdusse il matrimonio, le prime istituzioni statali e il diritto di proprietà.  Sempre a Cecrope è attribuita all'introduzione del sacrificio incruento e la sepoltura dei morti. Fu arbitro nella disputa tra Poseidone e Atena per il possesso dell'Attica stabilendo che dovessero fare un dono agli uomini così Poseidone creò il cavallo (o secondo altri autori una fonte salina sull'Acropoli) ed Atena piantò l'ulivo sul Pandroseion e vinse, ricevendo così l'Attica (da Wikipedia)

 

[dabbene]

Fantastica anche questa, presumo sia molto rara ....