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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ryro, post: 4216215, member: 91461&quot;]Thrilled to finally be able to show off my latest coin acquisition. A coin of one of the Persian Satraps under Darius III by the name of Spithridates.</p><p>Spithridates met a most ignoble end when in the early fighting of the battle of the Granicus River, the first major engagement between Alexander’s Macedonians and the Persians.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1079872[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Alexander, known for leading in the front and always charging into where the fighting was thickest, had just run one of Spithridates brother/comrades through when the would-be assassin of the greatest conquer the world would know, made his move.</p><p>From Arrian: “Then Rhoesaces, in the heat of fury, came at Alexander, struck at his head with his sword carrying away part of his helmet, causing a slight wound. Him (Alexander) perceiving it, thrust his lance through his (Rhoesaces) breast plate, into his body, killing him. And then Spithridates, coming from behind Alexander, already had his sword lifted up to kill him. But Clietus (The Black) son of Dropidas prevented him. For with one stroke of his sword disabled his arm and his sword fell to the ground.”</p><p>Spithridates would then die in the action or from the wound. Talk about some Hollywood ish action right there. Sword raised, ready to come down on the Hellenistic age itself!</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1079780[/ATTACH]</p><p>(Spithridates sneaking up behind Alexander to stab him in the back and avenge his brother)</p><p><br /></p><p>In possibly the most bizarre and dishonorable moments of an honorable and bizarre life, Alexander, during a drunken squabble, would throw a spear through and kill Clietus the Black.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1079795[/ATTACH]</p><p>(Clietus should’ve listened to Ptolemy, whom moments before had whisked him away fearing catastrophe)</p><p><br /></p><p>All that said, the coin itself is about the size, artistic merit and quality that you’d expect of a Persian Satrap. But that it and the incredible story it reminds us of exists at all is a rare treat passed down from the ages. It’s surely one of my favorites to tell after a couple beverages. Anywho, thanks for reading. Oh yeah, here’s the coin<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1079779[/ATTACH]</p><p>Spithridates</p><p>Satraps of Lycia &amp; Ionia</p><p>334 BC, AE10 1.05g</p><p>Head of Spithridates right, wearing a Persian headress</p><p>Forepart of a horse right, monogram above</p><p>SNG Cop 1538</p><p>Ex: Aegean Numismatics</p><p>Killed by Cleitus the Black while attempting to kill Alexander the Great.</p><p><br /></p><p>A few other nonfriends:</p><p><br /></p><p>Here’s coins of the last empire and possibly ruler whom ATG defeated twice in battle but was robbed of the chance slay or forgive, Darius III:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1079822[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1079823[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Cassander, Son of Antipater, so you’d think was a buddy, would ultimately wait until Alexander IV (ATG’s son) would come of age before killing him to take over Macedon unopposed #jerkmove:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1079852[/ATTACH] Kassander</p><p>316-297 BCE Æ (18.08 mm, 5.23 g). Pella or Amphipolis. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion&#039;s skin headdress / ΒΑ[ΣΙΛΕΩΣ] ΚΑΣΣΑΝ-ΔΡΟΥ, youth on horseback right, extending arm in salute; above, T; before, star; below, monogram. SNG Alpha Bank 917. Dark glossy green patina. Very fine</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1079851[/ATTACH]</p><p>Cassander</p><p>311-297 BCE AE (15 MM2, 12g). ca. 306-297 BC MZST. Unknown in Macedonia. vs.: Head of Heracles in the Lion Scalp N. R. Rs.: BAΣIΛEΩΣ/KAΣΣANΔΡOΥ, Lion N. L., including Monogram. SNG cop. 1154 R!Former SAVOCA coin</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I love stories of Alexander the Great. Please share your stories, coins of his, his enemies and anything else deemed GREAT![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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