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Ancient Greek Amazon Warrior Coin, Kyme, Aeolis, circa 250 BCE, Very Fine Condition
625-998
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This ancient Greek coin is one of the most interesting coins of its period. It was struck in Aeolis, the mythological site where Odysseus was gifted the west wind, Zephyr, by the gods. In Kyme, Aeolis, many coins featured a female head in profile, thought to represent an Amazon woman warrior. The lack of jewellery or accessories as well as the simple hairstyle suggest that she is neither a goddess nor royalty, and the style strongly suggests this interpretation. The reverse design features a bridled horse standing with one foreleg raised, and a one-handed jug on the ground below. Both the horse and jug are often used imagery for issues from Kyme during this era, likely representing commerce and trade. This is a good quality example of this coin in very fine condition; also included is an information page and a certificate of authenticity.
Aeolis was an ancient district in Asia Minor that was made up of Northwestern coastal regions, and encompassed about a dozen significant cities. It also included several offshore islands (Lesbos in particular) where Aeolian Greek city-states formed. Within Aeolia, Kyme was considered the largest and most significant city. Because of their accessibility to the sea and the surviving coinage issues which were needed for effective commerce, it is believed that Kyme enjoyed prosperous trade.
The Amazons in Mythology
At the time this coin was issued around 250 BCE, stories of the Amazon women warriors would have been widely known as part of the contemporary Greek mythology. The Amazons were believed to be a population of fierce female-only warriors. The ancient historian Herodotus suggests that they dwelled in Sarmalia (modern Ukraine), while others place them in Asia Minor or Libya. In the Iliad, the Amazons were referred to Antianeirai, meaning "those who fight like men." It is possible that the word Amazon comes from a-mazos, meaning "without breast," alluding to the legend that Amazon women would remove their right breast in order to better steady their bows and draw their arrows straight across their chests. Though there is no known depiction of this rumoured tradition in the art from the time, illustrations of Amazons frequently portray them with that breast covered.
Notable Amazonian queens were Penthesilea, who fought in the Trojan War, and her sister Hippolyta, whose magical girdle was taken by Heracles as the task of his ninth labour. The name Hippolyta means "loose, unbridled mare," likely in reference to her untameable nature. Amazons were often portrayed in battle with Greek men, and were also associated indirectly with centaurs. The fight between the Amazons and Theseus is a frequent subject on temple friezes, vases and sarcophagus reliefs.
Includes:
• Ancient Greek "Amazon Warrior Queen" Bronze Coin, circa 250 BCE, Very Fine Condition
Aeolis was an ancient district in Asia Minor that was made up of Northwestern coastal regions, and encompassed about a dozen significant cities. It also included several offshore islands (Lesbos in particular) where Aeolian Greek city-states formed. Within Aeolia, Kyme was considered the largest and most significant city. Because of their accessibility to the sea and the surviving coinage issues which were needed for effective commerce, it is believed that Kyme enjoyed prosperous trade.
The Amazons in Mythology
At the time this coin was issued around 250 BCE, stories of the Amazon women warriors would have been widely known as part of the contemporary Greek mythology. The Amazons were believed to be a population of fierce female-only warriors. The ancient historian Herodotus suggests that they dwelled in Sarmalia (modern Ukraine), while others place them in Asia Minor or Libya. In the Iliad, the Amazons were referred to Antianeirai, meaning "those who fight like men." It is possible that the word Amazon comes from a-mazos, meaning "without breast," alluding to the legend that Amazon women would remove their right breast in order to better steady their bows and draw their arrows straight across their chests. Though there is no known depiction of this rumoured tradition in the art from the time, illustrations of Amazons frequently portray them with that breast covered.
Notable Amazonian queens were Penthesilea, who fought in the Trojan War, and her sister Hippolyta, whose magical girdle was taken by Heracles as the task of his ninth labour. The name Hippolyta means "loose, unbridled mare," likely in reference to her untameable nature. Amazons were often portrayed in battle with Greek men, and were also associated indirectly with centaurs. The fight between the Amazons and Theseus is a frequent subject on temple friezes, vases and sarcophagus reliefs.
Includes:
• Ancient Greek "Amazon Warrior Queen" Bronze Coin, circa 250 BCE, Very Fine Condition
