Desr Friends of Ancient mythology! The next coin with a mythological theme is about Amphilochos the seer. The Coin: Cilicia, Mallos, Valerian I., AD 252-260 AE 31, 19.89g, 0° Obv.: IMP C LIC VALERIANVS PI FE AVG Bust cuirassed, Aegis on breast plate, laureate, r.. Rev.: MALLO COLONIA Amphilochos, nude except chlamys over l. arm, stg. l., holding in extended r. hand laurel branch; at his feet wild boar; behind him on platform tripod with lebes and a snake coiling around central foot swallowing an egg. in ex. SC Ref.: SNG Levante 1298 (same obv. die); SNG France 1933 (same obv. die); BMC 13; SGIC 4498 Very rare (Ziegler: only 13 coins known at all from the time of Valerian), about VF, light roughness Note: Mallos was one of the oldest cities in Cilicia, situated at the Lowwr Cadnus. Under the reign of Severus Alexander Mallos became a Roman colonia. Therefore the Latin legends on the coin. Mythology: It is told that the hero Amphilochos was the founder of Mallos. Amphilochos was the son of Amphiaraos, king of Argos, and Eriphyle,. and a great hero and seer like his father. Eriphyle has persuaded Amphiaraos to take part in the campaign against Thebens, the famous Seven against Thebens. In this war he was killed. After his death Amphilochos became king of Argos. When his brother Alkmaion learned that his father only because of Eriphyle has fought against Thebens he killed his mother to revenge his father. Ten years later both took part in the expedition of the Epigoni against Thebens. He seems to be one of the suitors of Helena and has to be one of her guardians. As such he came to Troy - a bit late as Apollodor writes in his Bibliotheke - and has fought on side of the Greeks to free her. Together with the seer Kalchas he travelled to Klaros near Kolophon where Kalchas was defeated by Mopsos in a competition of the seer and died of broken heart. Mopsos, son of Apollo and Manto, daughter of Teiresias, was the most famous seer in his time. He was said to be the founderr of Klaros. Together with Amphilochos he found too Mallos in Cilicia. To rule Mallos fair-minded they made an arrangement: Each of them should rule Mallos alternately for one year. Mopsos was first and Amphilochos went to his homeland Argos. When he came back a year later to take over the reign as arranged Mopsos refused and tried to chase him away. The embarassed inhabitants suggested to decide the conflict by duel. In this duel both killed each another. To avoid further controversy between the spirits of Mopsos and Amphilochos the pyres were erected to different sides. But it happened that the spirits discontinued their controversy and joined in friendship and decided to establishe a combined oracle. This oracle in Mallos was after Delphi the most famous in ancient times, actually it is said that its oracles were more reliable than those of Delphi. The priests got their answers in dreams and wrote them on wax plates. The price is said to have been two copper coins. History of Art: This Attic hydria from the Classical Period, c.440-430 BC, shows the red figured picture of Amphiaraos, armed, bidding farewell to Eriphyle (not shown). At right nurse with the child Amphilochos. Ascribed to the Dwarf Painter. Now in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Sources: (1) Apollodor, Bibliotheke (2) Herodot (3) Homer, Odyssee (4) Pausanias, Voyages (5) Strabon Secondary Literature: (1) Der kleine Pauly (2) Robert von Ranke-Graves, Greek Mythology (3) Karl Kerenyi, Griechische Heroen-Sagen (4) Benjamin Hederich, Gründliches Mythologisches Lexikon Best regards
Wow you outdid yourself . Nice Job. Very interesting !! sidenote: What's the deal with the Laurel Branch . You see that alot on coins, no ?
@SensibleSal66 The laurel branch was an attribute of Apollo. The fact that Amphilochos holds a laurel branch in his hand identifies him as a seer of Apollo. Best regards Jochen
What about more modern times . Is there any coins holding a branch. Oh that's an olive branch ( trade dollar ) .
