The famous "Tyche of Antioch" was a statue erected by Eutychides, a pupil of the Greek sculptor Lysippus whose works in the 4th century B.C. reflected the transition from the idealized forms of classicism to the new realism of the Hellenistic style. The following silver Tetradrachm was struck at Antioch under Roman Emperor Trajan. Reverse has Tyche of Antioch seated on rocks and holding ears of corn and poppies. River god Orontes swims at her feet. Prieur 1500(Tyre). The coin weighs 13.42 g. Please post your coins depicting Tyche of Antioch. Thanks..
Here’s one with the same theme on the reverse. A side note: I have been wondering about the origin of a Norwegian word lately: «Tykjen». It is used in several dialects way back in time. It means «the evil/the devil». It could however have its roots in the heathen gods of old, and we know the Vikings travelled in the Meditteranean and came across coins that they brought home. (In my area on the west coast a Hadrian denarius is the oldest found so far. ) Tyche is also Fortune. If the «Tyche/tykjen will come and get you», as the fishermen further north say, that would originally mean you would be cursed by Fortune.
She was often shown on ancient coins holding a rudder and a cornucopia. With a rudder, she guided the world's affairs. With a cornucopia, she symbolized fortune's plentiful gifts. As her cult developed, Tyche became the patron-goddess of various cities.
Here's my Tyche of Antioch: Anonymous issue under Maximinus II. Roman billon quarter follis, 1.35 g, 16.3 mm, 11 h. Antioch, officina 6, AD 311-312. Obv: GENIO ANTIOCHENI, Tyche of Antioch seated facing; river god Orontes swimming below. Rev: APOLLONI SANCTO, Apollo standing left holding patera and lyre; S in right field, SMA in ex. Refs: RCV 14927; Vagi 2954; Van Heesch 3(a); McAlee 170f.
The etymology of Tyche τυνχανειν = to happen accidentally. So, its meaning is chance, fortune but misfortune too. Originally, she was seen as spirit who ruled the world blindly, because she brought misfortune to good and wise men, and fortune to fools and bad men. Later she leant towards a better meaning, especially as Tyche Agathos, the good Tyche. She is depicted holding a rudder as arbiter of the world, with cornucopiae, symbol of wealth or with a sphere as sign of uncertainty. Often, she was wearing a mural crown and thereby seen as city-goddess. AR Tetradrachm, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch (today Antakya, Turkey), dated year 26 Actian Era and Cos XII = 5 BC 24 mm, 14.12 g Ref.: Prieur 50; RPC I 4151; McAlee 180; DCA 400 Ob.: KAIΣAPOΣ ΣEBAΣTOY, laureate head right Rev.: ETOYΣ ςΚ NIKHΣ (year 26 of the victory = 5 BC), Tyche of Antioch seated right on rocks, turreted, holding palm branch, half-length figure of river-god Orontes swimming below right, his head turned facing, in r. field YΠA monogram and IB (12th consulship) over ANT (Antioch) monogram
Thank you for your interesting post, @7Calbrey ! Tyche or Fortuna—a goddess who governs the fortune and prosperity of the city—has always been fascinating to me—having been a city dweller for most of my life.
PHILIP I AE30 OBVERSE: AVTOK K M IOVLI FILIPPOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right REVERSE: ANTIOCEWN MHTRO KOLWN D-E S-C, turreted & draped bust of Tyche right, ram leaping right above, star beneath Struck at Antioch, 244-249 AD 30mm, 14g BMC 528 VOLUSIAN AE30 OBVERSE: AVTOK K G AFIN GAL OVEND OVOLOCCIANOC CEB, radiate and draped bust right REVERSE: ANTIOXEWN MHTRO KOLWN D-e, SC below, Tyche seated facing within tetrastyle temple, the river-god Orontes swimming beneath her, ram leaping right above Struck at Syria-Antioch, 251-253 AD 17.1g, 30mm SNGCop 295
Thank you. I purchased at a very good price. Too bad the coin company has since divested itself of Ancients.
I have a rather beaten up Tyche of Petra, Arabia (Modern Jordan). Would the same apply as for Antioch as in she was chosen as the city Goddess? HADRIAN (117-138 AD) AE 27mm 12.55g Petra of Arabia mint Obv; AVTOKΡATΩΡ KAICAΡ TΡAIANOC AΔΡIANOC CEBACTOC, laureate and cuirassed bust right with aegis on breastplate Rev; ΠETΡA MHTΡOΠOΛIC, Tyche seated left on rock, hand outstretched, holding trophy over shoulder. Rosenberger 2, SNG ANS 1360. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra
