Epic deaths: How real legends died

#1. Blaze of glory- Antigonos Monophthalmus
After having been celebrated as one of Alexander the great's greatest generals it took Ptolemy, Seleukos, Lysimachos and Kassander working in conjunction to kill the man at the ripe old age of 81 ON THE BATTLEFIELD by a VOLLEY OF JAVELINS(!!!) to do put the old dog down at the Battle of Ipsus.


Antigonos I Monophthalmos Æ16. Struck under Demetrios I Poliorketes (could be Philip III Arrhidaios)
Salamis, 306/5-301 BC. Macedonian shield, boss decorated with facing gorgoneion / Macedonian helmet; B-A across upper fields, kerykeion to lower left, monogram to lower right. Price 3159 (c. 323-315 BC); Zapiti & Michaelidou 7-8. 4.4g, 16mm, 12h. Very Fine. Purchased from Savoca December 2021

#2. Enlightened and adored by all- Menander I
The Buddhist who also happened to be the greatest Greco-Baktrian King ever who dies on campaign with his troops.
"But when one Menander, who had reigned graciously over the Bactrians, died afterwards in the camp, the cities indeed by common consent celebrated his funerals; but coming to a contest about his relics, they were difficultly at last brought to this agreement, that his ashes being distributed, everyone should carry away an equal share, and they should all erect monuments to him.

— Plutarch

Menander I
BAKTRIA, Indo-Greek Kingdom. circa 165/55-130 BC. Drachm (Silver, 16 mm, 2.49 g, 12 h), Indian standard, uncertain mint in Paropamisadai or Gandhara. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ - MENANΔPOY Draped bust of Menander I to right, wearing crested helmet adorned with pelt and wing. Rev. 'Maharajasa tratarasa Menamdrasa' (in Kharoshti) Athena advancing left, holding shield on left arm and brandishing thunderbolt with her right; to right, monogram. Bopearachchi 16l. HGC 12, 193. Light doubling on the obverse and with a minor flan crack, otherwise, very fine.
Purchased from Leu Feb 2022


#3. Sometimes the lesson is learned too late -Kroesus
After trying to show off his other worldly opulence to Solon, Kroesus is taught a simple lesson, you cannot judge the quality of a man's life until it is over.
He didn't take the hint.
Kroesus, a literal term for being the wealthiest of the wealthy, Ala, rich as Kroesus, would then be captured, by none other than Cyrus the Great himself, and was more than likely executed in the fashion described by numerous sources, he was burned alive on a pyre, but our source do vary...



Kroisos
circa 560-546 BC. 1/6 Stater (Silver, 11 mm, 1.67 g), Sardes. Confronted foreparts of a lion and a bull. Rev. Two incuse squares, one larger than the other. Berk 25. Rosen 667. SNG Kayhan 1019. Porous, otherwise, very fine. Purchased from Leu Numismatik Dec 2021

#4. With the world in flames behind you- Nero
Say what you will, but the man's name echos through the ages, sometimes more loudly than his much more deserving predecessors, due in large part to his EXTREME nature.


CAPPADOCIA (1,77g, 15mm) Caesarea, Nero (54-68), AR Hemidrachm
Obv: NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GERMANI; laureate head of Nero, right.
Rev: Nike standing, right, with foot on globe and inscribing shield set on knee
S 83, BMC 411, Walker 470–2, RIC 618, Ganschow 60, RPC I №: 3646

Did I miss any EPIC deaths of great men, of course I did, that you'd like to share???

 

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I'd say getting killed after doing a #1 is a pretty epic way to go.

Pissing death...




Caracalla (198 - 217 A.D.)
AR Tetradrachm
Mesopotamia, Carrhae
O: AVT·K·M·A ANTONЄINOC ·C-EB · ·, laureate head of Caracalla right; two pellets beneath rear truncation.
R: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤΟ Δ, eagle standing facing on bucranium, dot to each side, wings spread, head right, wreath in beak.
28mm
17.10g
Prieur 820, Bellinger 160, SGI 2701

Ex. Agora Auctions, lot 184, Sale 81

 

Another fantastic multi-media, educational and entertaining extravaganza, @Ryro!

Then there's poor old Galerius, whose gruesome death is considered epic in the medical humanities literature! Click on the links if you're curious. It's too graphic to detail here.


Galerius as Caesar, AD 293-305.
Roman silvered billon follis, 8.62 g, 27.2 mm, 6 h.
Trier, AD 302-3.
Obv: MAXIMIANVS NOBIL C, laureate and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI, Genius standing facing, head left, wearing modius, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae; S/F//IITR.
Refs: RIC vi, p. 196, 508b; Cohen 65; RCV 14348.
Notes: Some numismatists postulate that the S F in the fields of these coins from Trier is an abbreviation for SAECVLI FELICITAS.

 

I’m got sure how great Procopius was but I always liked this story (one version of several) of his death.

“Though Valens initially despaired of subduing the rebellion, and was inclined to come to terms with the usurper, he quickly rallied, guided by the counsels of Salutius and Arintheus, and the superior ability of his generals prevailed in two battles at Thyatiraand Nacolia where Procopius' forces were defeated.[12] He fled the battlefield, and was for a while a fugitive in the wilds of Phrygia, but was soon betrayed to Valens due to the treachery of his two generals Agilonius and Gomoarius (they had been promised they would be "shown favour" by Valens), he was captured. Valens had his rival executed[13] on 27 May 366 by being fastened to two trees bent down with force; when the trees were released, Procopius was ripped apart in the manner of the legendary execution of the bandit Sinis. The "favour" Valens showed to Agilonius and Gomoarius was to have them both sawn asunder”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procopius_(usurper)

 

Getting stuck by lighting is pretty epic.




Carus (282- 285 A.D.)

Ӕ Antoninianus
O: IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG; Radiate and cuirassed bust right.
R: VIRTVS AVGG; Soldier standing left, leaning on shield and holding spear. In ex. ΓKA
Rome Mint
23mm
3.7g
RIC V(b) Rome 45

Published on Wildwinds!

 

..so this is supposed to be Antigonos l, but stuck under Demetrios Polo?...

 

Great or not, the main point of Procopius made in the part of the Wikipedia article before the section you copied was that Procopius was from the family of Constantine and designated as successor by Julian II but willingly yielded that position to Jovian. Having someone more rightfully emperor than you are was more than Valentinian and Valens could accept. Nice guys not only finish last but get labelled 'usurper' by history as written by the victorious usurpers.

 

How about

Partied to death

Coming to the throne at the age of 10, the Gothic clan leaders feared that Athalaric's "Roman" upbringing was unbecoming of a Germanic king, and encouraged him to drink and party from a young age, which "ruined his constitution" and he died of alcohol poisoning at the ripe old age of 18

 

I'll ask to be excused for posting a literal legend, but I've always thought the one below interesting for depicting the actual death scene. Ajax the Telamonian was the second greatest Greek hero in the Trojan War, but he killed himself in shame when he was cheated of the honour of claiming his friend Achilles's armor and after he was struck mad by the goddess Athena.

CARACALLA
AE Diassarion. 7.45g, 24.4mm. BITHYNIA, Prusa ad Olympum, AD 198-217. SNG Cop 596 (same dies); SNG von Aulock 873 (same obv die); RG 102. O: AYT•K•M•AYP•ANTΩNINOC•CЄ KA•, laureate head right. R: ΠPOYCAЄΩ/N, Ajax the Telamonian, nude but for helmet and balteus, falling on his sword; before, pile of stones; on ground line, shield.

 

I think the death of Caesar is something out of a nightmare. You walk into a large room filled with men wearing the same clothes. They all greet you, and you greet them. These are men you have known for half a lifetime, you know everything about them. Almost.
It feels like an ordinary day. You expect things to turn out like usual, and that the senate will act respectfully to its leader. There is however this restless feeling this day. Paranoia kicks in stronger than usual. Then the men start gathering around you. They come closer and closer, and their faces have turned from friendly to angry. Suddenly they bring out knives from their togas.

 

The first 5 Scottish kings named James had untimely and violent deaths.

James I was assassinated at home. He was warned of the assassination attempt and might have gotten away, but the basement exit was locked to prevent people from stealing his tennis balls, and preventing his exit.


Groat of James I 1406-1437


James II was blown up by his own cannon during a siege.


Groat of James II 1437-1460


James III was killed at the battle of Sauchieburn fighting against the army of his own son, the future James IV.

Groat of James III 1460-1488


James IV also died in battle, the last British Isles monarch to die in battle. He fought on foot, was shot with an arrow and hacked to pieces.


Groat or James IV 1488-1513


James V died shortly after the battle of Solway Moss. He was probably wounded in battle then died of disease.

Groat of James V 1513-1542

 

..'a legend doesn't die just because the man does'... quote from Johnathan Winters as Fats's Brown in The Twilight Zone original, "A Game of Pool"

 

I'd have to agree that the most 'bad-ass' death I can think of is Antigonos I Monophthalmos. It took the combined armies of Seleukos and Lysimachos to take down an 81 year old guy. (Kassander wasn't present, but bolstered Lysimachos' forces with his brother Pleistarchos in charge, and Ptolemy was allied against Antigonos, but didn't participate in that battle).

Antigonos was clearly the ancient Chuck Norris.

Antigonos I Monophthalmos​

Antigoneia 305-300 BCE
28mm 16.33g
Head of young Herakles facing right, wearing a lion's skin. / ALEXANDPOY, Zeus enthroned left, holding an eagle and a sceptre, X on left, M on right, Ph below throne.
Price 3195, Müller 804
Ex Mike Vosper​

Probably the most dramatic death for the agent was Ptolemy Keraunos, who was killed by the Gauls and then had his head paraded around on a spike. That became pretty standard by Roman times, but the Greeks were usually more civil.

KINGS of MACEDON. Ptolemy Keraunos. 281-279 BCE​

AR Tetradrachm
In the name and types of Alexander III. Amphipolis mint. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; monograms in left field and below throne.
Price 537; Mathisen, Administrative –. ​

Of course, Antigenes was thrown into a pit and burned alive (by Antigonos I). That must not have been pleasant.

Alexander III 'the Great' AR Tetradrachm.​

Susa, circa 322-320 BC.
Minted by Antigenes
Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated to left, holding sceptre; [BAΣIΛEΩΣ] below, AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, monogram to left, ΛA below throne. Price 3846. 17.04g, 24mm, 6h.
Ex Roma​

​

And most anticlimactic death probably goes to Pyrrhos, one of the great generals of antiquity, who was killed by an old woman who threw a brick on him.

Pyrrhos of Epiros​

Pella 287-285 BCE or 274-273 BCE
AE 17mm 4.42g 5h
AMNG III/2, -. HGC 3, 272. SNG Alpha Bank 970
Ex Nomos​

 

Being boiled alive doesn't sound very much fun.

Fausta (324-326 A.D)
AE3
O: FLAV MAX FAVSTA AVG Mantled bust right. Bare headed; waved hair drawn into a bun at the back.
R: SALVS REI-PVBLICAE Fausta standing facing, head left, holding Constantine II and Constantius II as babies.
STR dot-in-crescent
Trier
3.15g
19mm
RIC 483

 

..kool post @Ryro .i had a long spechle for this, but got excited when you showed the shield coins of my namesake Monophthalmus (1i) cause i was just bidding on a silver drachm i let go and was kicking meself in back of my mind...i'm still not sure i understand how it "his' coin but i'm gonna take your words for it, even tho it was minted by either, or... (see previous pics)..yeah, if all is true, he was tough and still tough at a ripe old age...his life wasn't cut too short i'm reckonin' at 81 back then esp.

 

Have there ever been any commemorative coins or other works of art depicting the death of Elvis?

 

Really like your post and coinage @Ryro !


Makedonwn Kingdom,
Antigonus I Monophthalmus,
323 - 301 B.C.,
In the Name of Alexander the Great
Silver Drachm, 3.9g, maximum diameter 16.5mm, die axis 0o
Magnesia ad Maeandrum mint, c. 319 - c. 305 BCE
Obv: head of Herakles right, clad in Nemean Lion scalp headdress tied at neck
Rev: AΛEΞAN∆POY, Zeus seated left on throne without back, nude to waist, himation around hips and legs, right leg drawn back, feet on footstool, eagle in extended right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, ΣΩ monogram left, AT monogram under throne
Ref: Price 1970, Müller Alexander 793, Prokesch-Osten II 84, SNG Cop -, SNG München -, SNG Alpha Bank
Comment: gVF, nice style, dark toning
Antigonos I Monophthalmos ("the One-eyed") (382 B.C. - 301 B.C.) was a nobleman, general, and governor under Alexander the Great. Upon Alexander's death in 323 B.C., he established himself as one of the successors and declared himself King in 306 B.C. The most powerful satraps of the empire, Kassander, Seleukos, Ptolemy and Lysimachos, answered by also proclaiming themselves kings. Antigonos found himself at war with all four, largely because his territory shared borders with all of them. He died in battle at Ipsus in 301 B.C. Antigonos' kingdom was divided up, with Seleukos I Nicator gaining the most. His son, Demetrios I Poliorketes, took Makedon, which the family held, off and on, until it was conquered by Rome in 168 BCE
Ex: Forum Ancient Coins

 

I am sorry, Elvis is not real.

 

MENANDER


Indo-Greek Baktria
Menander I Soter
BCE 155-130
AR Tet
26mm 9.6g Diad -
Athena Alkidemos tbolt Gorgon shield
Buddhist King
SNG ANS 764-767

 

...well, he was...and still lives if you watch his movies and/or listen to his music..or drink from an Elvis deCanter...... ...................STOP LIVING IN THE PAST BARBERA...IT'S 1959!................................