Description: Ancient Greek Coinage CALABRIA Tarentum Ca. 380-325 BC Silver Diobol 11.8mm, 1.14gm. Very Small Coin--a Dime is 17.9mm Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena right, with helmet decorated with Skylla Reverse: Herakles kneeling, holding club, strangling the Nemean Lion. Ref. HN Italy 911; Vlasto 1297. Choice VF. Nicer in hand~Small coin shown greatly enlarged. Attractive contrasting cameo effect toning of reverse--appears to be some of the original "find" patina-- little gem! Right Click picture to enlarge image size. Ancient Greek Coinage CALABRIA Tarentum 325-280 BC Silver Diobol 12mm, 1.17gm. Very Small Coin--a Dime is 17.9mm Obverse: Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet, tiny scalloped shape curls at hairline showing under rim of helmet. Reverse: depicts the first of the Twelve labors of Herakles ~ Herakles standing facing, upper torso right, strangling the Nemean Lion to right; club to left, C between legs; [TAΡA]NTINΩN. Ref. Vlasto 1366; HN Italy 976. Choice Very Fine overall. bright untoned silver~much nicer in hand especially the reverse~Small coin shown greatly enlarged. The depiction of Herakles on the reverse of this coin places the hero in a typical fighting stance of the Greek martial discipline Pankration, or Pammachon (total combat) as it was earlier known. Indeed, this fighting style was said to have been the invention of Herakles and Theseus as a result of their using both wresting and boxing in their encounters with opponents. The stance portrayed on this coin is paralleled on an Attic black-figure vase in the British Museum depicting two competitors, one in a choke hold similar to that of the lion here. The composition of this deisgn is very deliberate - as the lion leaps forwards, Herakles who had been facing the lion, turns his body sideways. The myths tell us that Herakles had first stunned the beast with his club, and now he dodges the lion's bite and reaches his right arm around its head to place it in a choke hold. The Twelve Labors of Herakles The Twelve Labors of Herakles is a myth about the labors that Herakles (Hercules) had to perform as a part of his sentence after killing his own children. Being one of the offsprings of Zeus’ affairs, Hercules has always been subject of Hera’s hatred. Hera tried to kill Herakles many times throughout his adventures or at the very least made everything in her power to torture him. It was one of those times when Hera made Hercules lose his mind temporarily and Hercules killed his own children during this craze. After a short while he was awakened from his state of madness and realized what he did in great sorrow and regret. He sought guidance from Apollo and was told by Apollo’s oracle that his punishment would be serving his cousin and archenemy, Eurystheus, the king of Mycenae and Tiryns for twelve years. Herakles was assigned to perform twelve labors/tasks which were considered almost impossible to be fulfilled. However, Herakles managed to perform these labors successfully thanks to the help he got from Athena and Hermes. Having performed these labors was, indeed, the reason why Hercules has been rewarded with immortality in the end. First Labor: Killing the Nemean Lion The first labor Eurystheus assigned Hercules to was slaying the Nemean Lion and bringing back his skin. The Nemean lion was a very powerful beast born from Typhon and Echidna. It was a beast that could only be harmed by human hand and no other weapon could hurt it. Hercules realized that the beast was invulnerable after shooting him with an arrow and he went into the cave the beast lived in, held his neck tight and choked the Nemean Lion to the death. Hercules brought back the lion’s skin to Eurystheus and set on to fulfill his second task. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OUR GUARANTEE: All illustrations are of the actual item offered. The authenticity of all pieces is fully guaranteed. Any item ever shown otherwise may be returned unaltered for full refund less shipping. If any item purchased is not to your satisfaction you may return it unaltered within 30 days of purchase for a full refund less shipping. We also guarantee absolute discretion and confidentiality in all transactions. Images are not actual size ~ Please see description for actual measurements.
Price: 329 USD
Location: Eagle River, Wisconsin
End Time: 2024-12-18T02:50:17.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Denomination: Diobol
Composition: Silver
Certification: Uncertified
Year: 325 BC
Grade: VF
Date: 280 BC
Era: Ancient
Historical Period: Greek (450 BC-100 AD)
Coin Type: Ancient
Material: Silver
Culture: Greek
