Object Description
Amphipolis, Ca. 323-281 BC
Lysimachos Ar. tetradrachm. Diademed head of deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY; Athena seated right, holding Nike in her extended right hand and left resting on shield, spear leaning against the chair back. PMY monogram in inner left field.
Lysimachos was a companion, general, and Successor of Alexander the Great who drew on the iconographic vocabulary of Alexander’s coinage in his personal issues. Thessalian in origin, Lysimachus received Macedonian citizenship and was educated alongside Alexander in his youth (Arr. Ind. 18.3). Following Alexander’s death in 323 BC he received the territories of Thrace and from this stronghold participated in the wars of the Diadochoi (Diod.18.3.2). He was killed in 281 BC by Seleucus I at the Battle of Corupedium, the final struggle between the Successors.
This tetradrachm of recognisable as Lysimachos’ for the ram’s horn added to the head of the deified Alexander. Nike also crowns the name of Lysimachos on the reverse, exemplifying the ideology of military victory that the Diadochoi based much of their power on.
For additional information see:
Thonemann, P., 2016. The Hellenistic World: Using Coins as Sources. Cambridge.
Size: D: 32mm ; 15.52g