The city of Gyrton (Pelasgiotis) was located about about five miles north of Larissa in central Greece. It was an ancient town, mentioned by Homer (Hom. Il. 2.738), and continued to be a place of importance until later times, when it was called opulent by Apollonius Rhodius. Gyrton was a brother of Phlegyas, who built the town on the Peneius river, and from whom it received its name. Others derived the name of that town from Gyrtone, who is called a daughter of Phlegyas. The city of Gyrton was most famous for the problems that arose when its mythological king, Peirithoos, invited the Centaurs to attend his wedding to Hippodameia (bad idea). The centaurs became drunk and attempted to abduct the bride and other guests, leading to a great battle between the people of Gyrton and the Centaurs (sounds a typical visit with like my ex-in laws). This battle became symbolic of the conflict between the Greeks and barbarians. Thessaly, Gyrton, c. 350-300 BC. Æ, 19mm, 8.16g). Laureate head of Zeus l. Horse advancing r.; monogram below. BCD Thessaly II 83.11-12; Rogers 236. I hope this coin is actually genuine. Please post your coins of Gyrton, Centaurs, or Weddings. John
That's a beautiful coin and interesting history. I do not have any Greek centaurs, but I do have this Gallienus: GALLIENUS Antoninianus OBVERSE: GALLIENVS AVG - Radiate head right. REVERSE: APOLLINI CONS AVG, centaur walking right drawing bow. Z in ex. Struck at Rome, 267-268 AD 2.6g, 19mm RIC 163, RSC 72
FRENTANI, Larinum. (Part of Samnium) ca 210-175 BCE Æ 18mm - Quadrans. Obv: Bearded head of Herakles right, in lion's skin headdress Rev: LADINOD, centaur galloping right, holding branch over left shoulder; three pellets in ex. Ref: SNG ANS 137; BMC 8; SNG Cop 272
i think it's a nice looking coin theodosius, handsome color and details...looks like it's in kind of high relief as well! i don't have a centaur, but i have a coin that commemorated a wedding. if i remember correctly, @John Anthony can correct me if i'm wrong, this nabatean coin commemorates the wedding of aretas the iv I (obverse) and queen shuqulackabingbong. (reverse).
That's a great tale and a really handsome Greek bronze. I wonder if the people of Gyrton ever messed about with their fellow Thessalians, the Magnetes, who were apparently fond of centaurs. THESSALY, The Magnetes Circa mid 2nd-1st centuries BC AE20 7.13g, 20.3mm Rogers 339; BCD Thessaly II 420.4 O: Laureate head of Zeus right. R: MAΓNHTΩ–N, the centaur Chiron advancing right, raising right arm, holding palm frond over shoulder; star below.
