This little doll from Carthage arrived from Ancient Imports today, in my opinion it looks better in hand, so I wish each of you could see in in person. Attribution: SNG Copenhagen 202 Date: 264-241 BC Obverse: Head of Tanit left, wreathed in grain Reverse: Horse standing right Size: 22.78 mm Weight: 6.57 grams Description: good Fine+
LOVIT! Carthage has a cool, rich history. Great capture! My SNG COP book lists #202 from the Sardinian Mint. 264-241 BCE places it in the First Punic War with Rome, where Rome became a naval power. Very nice!
I have several AE's from Carthage, but regret I have no AE's specifically from the First Punic War... (I still have to go into my book and specifically attribute these...) Here are a few...
@Alegandron The Punic Wars capture my imagination in a way few other events in history do, shipwrecks involving hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of people drowning, battles where a hundred people a minute are killed over a span of 10 hours, people defending their city to the death even though they know their cause is lost and fields being sown with salt so that nothing would ever grow again. It all challenges the imagination.
I agree. We view Rome as the all-pervasive Empire... during the AD period. However, the Punic Wars were somewhat the first WORLD WARS between two behemoths... There were so many times that Rome was almost extinct. What made Rome amazing, was their tenacity to persevere... no matter what. This is why I enjoy the Republic period because of the epic struggles Rome experienced, that tested their mettle, and enabled them MUCH later to have a "World Empire".
Man, ya gotta love the Carthage horse coins ... Bruttium, Carthage Occupation A sweet X-mas gift from Gandalf Carthage (pure sweetness)
Love it. I've looked longingly at some Carthaginian horsies before, but have not taken the plunge on any. The electrum issues are of course extremely appealing, but beyond my budget.
BTW, for those who like to listen to podcasts and audiobooks, Dan Carlin's Punic Nightmares series is well worth the time. I know @Aethelred recently listened to it for a second time and I suspect that might have inspired this coin purchase. There's nothing like listening to a good audiobook or podcast about a certain period in history while holding a a coin in your hand from that era. Really, Dan Carlin's entire Hardcore History series is worth your while. I suspect many of you already know that. The more recent Hardcore History episodes can be downloaded for free, while earlier, "classic" episodes and series like Punic Nightmares are available for a modest price. He covers many subjects of ancient history as well as modern. DC's Death Throes of the Republic is another good Hardcore History series dealing with ancient history.
nice coin! i've always considered one a must even for a Roman collection.we owe these Phoenicians much. it is a shame we don't know more about them. i have the 400-350 bc type with 3 pellets
I just finished "Punic Nightmares" which I enjoyed againg the second time around. I am also reading "Carthage Mvst Be Destroyed" which is actually (so far) a much better book than the title suggested it would be.
