Atargatis

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by 7Calbrey, Dec 6, 2018.

  1. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    Consort of main Aramaean god Hadad, Atargatis was the Syrian goddess of fertility. She's assimilated with Cybele and believed to be a fusion of 2 Phoenician goddesses, Astarte and Anath. On reverse of this bronze coin struck under Philip I, she's riding a lion right, wearing a mural crown and holding a scepter with her right hand.
    The coin was struck at Heriopolis in Syria, currently known as "Membij" to the Northern east of Aleppo. It weighs 17.73 g. and measures 29 mm. SNG Cop 63- BMC 57v.

    PhilHerio O.jpg PhilHeriop R.jpg Atargat 600.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2018
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  3. Plumbata

    Plumbata Well-Known Member

    Cool coin, I really like the majestic lion on the reverse!
     
  4. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    I’d like to get an Atargatis coin one day. I wrote a Celator article years ago on her. She features prominently in Apuleius’s THE GOLDEN ASS. On the want list for next year is a Severan DEA CAELESTIS, with whom she was also syncretized.
     
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  5. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    @ brother GR.. Here's Dea Caelestis riding a lion on reverse of a silver coin struck in Rome for Carthage under Septimius Severus.

    SeptCart R.jpg SeptCarthg O.jpg
     
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  6. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    Yep! That's on the 2019 want list...
     
  7. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    Atargatis trivia: The Starbucks logo is believed to depict Atargatis or related deity.
     
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  8. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    Here is my coin of Hierapolis Syria with Atargatis:

    PhilipII5Hieropolis16115.jpg

    Philip II, 244-249. 28 mm. 15.73 grams.
    AVTOK K M IOYΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CEB
    Autocrater Kaiser M. Julius Phillipus Sebastos
    Imperator Caesar Marcus Julius Phillipus Augustus
    ΦEAC CYPIAC IEPO ΠOΛITΩN, Atargatis riding lion right
    Goddess? Syria Hierapolis(of) [Correct this if you know ancient Greek]

    Butcher Coinage in Roman Syria, Hieropolis 64c. "probably struck at Antioch. The coins share obverse dies with Antioch, Zeugma, and Cyrrhus." Butcher corrects the old spelling of Hieropolis to Hierapolis.
     
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  9. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    That's a cool reverse 7C!
     
  10. Jochen1

    Jochen1 Well-Known Member

    I love those depictions of Atargatis. I have some in my Collection and don't know which of them I love more. I have Chosen this one to share.

    hierapolis_cyrrhestica_sev_alex_BMC55.jpg
    Syria, Cyrrhestica, Hierapolis, Severus Alexander, AD 222-35
    AE 30, 17.74g, 315°
    AVT KAI MAP AVP - CE AΛEZANΔPOC
    Bust, draped, laureate, r.
    rev. ΘEAC CVPIAC IE - PO - ΠOΛITΩN (beginning upper Right)
    Atargatis, in long clothes, std. r. on throne, holding with l. hand tympanon set on
    her knee, resting with r. arm on back of throne; on both sides a lion std.
    ref. BMC 55; GIC 3367 var. (bust undraped)
    EF/VF, attractive green-brown patina

    Best regards
     
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  11. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    Man, that is an impressive coin. It will be on my 2019 list too:happy: Thanks for showing it....
     
  12. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    You're welcome, along with brother GR. Hope I could be of friendly help.
     
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