Asia Minor Coins - Photo Gallery

Ancient Greek and Roman coins from Asia Minor


Coin ID #238

Tarsos (BC 425-400) Stater - Syennesis III

ca 425-400 BC. AR Stater (10.46g). Satrap on horseback galloping right / Naked hoplite kneeling left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, holding spear in right hand, large round shield decorated with gorgoneion in left, 'TRZ' in Aramaic to right. Toned VF, light porosity.

The hereditary kings of Cilicia were invested with the name Syennesis, a royal title more than an actual name. Syennesis III was probably the grandson of Syennesis II, one of the commanders in the fleet of Xerxes, and married a woman named Epyaxa. In 401 BC, the couple supported the revolt of Cyrus II against his brother Artaxerxes II. In return for the assistance, including a body of troops commanded by his son which he offered to Cyrus, Syennesis was himself richly rewarded with gifts and honors. At the same time, though, he sent his other son to Artaxerxes, so that whatever the outcome he might be with the winning side. Syennesis' actions, however, did little to save Cilicia's independence; after 400 BC, it became a satrapy of the Persian Empire.

File information
Filename:650312.jpg
City/Mint name:Tarsos
Rating (9 votes):22222
Keywords:silver / classical
References:SNG Levante 61 (this coin); SNG France 226; BMC Lycaonia pg. 163, 7; SNG Copenhagen 259; SNG von Aulock 5913
Valuation:CNG, Triton VII (1/2004), lot 312 (est. $1,000; unsold)
Photo courtesy of:Classical Numismatic Group - www.cngcoins.com
Filesize:142 KiB
Date added:Dec 07, 2004
Dimensions:500 x 252 pixels
Displayed:882 times
URL:http://www.asiaminorcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=238
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