Nathan P

Lucania, Sybaris (Circa 550-510 BC)

AR Stater 29 mm, 8.14 g

Lucania, Sybaris (Circa 550-510 BC)
Nathan P, Nov 27, 2019
  • Album:
    Sicily and Magna Grecia
    Uploaded By:
    Nathan P
    Date:
    Nov 27, 2019
    View Count:
    367
    Comment Count:
    0

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    image/jpeg
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  • Obverse: VM in exergue; bull standing left, head reverted.

    Reverse : Incuse bull standing right, head reverted.

    HN Italy 1729; SNG ANS 828-844

    An Achaean colony dating from about 720 BC, Sybaris rapidly grew to be the wealthiest city in the area. The luxury enjoyed by its population was proverbial, hence the modern words sybarite and sybaritic. The bull may symbolize the local river god Krathis. The archaic coinage of Sybaris was brought to an abrupt end in 510 BC when the city was destroyed by the rival state of Kroton. The waters of the Krathis were diverted to flow over the site of the sacked city, thus obliterating all trace of its former splendor.