Ancient Greek - Apollonia Pontika Diobol - Mounted in Sterling Bezel Ring

Mint: Thrace, Greece

Description: Apollonia Pontica

Denomination: AR Diobol

Date: 450-400 BC 

Weight: 1.30 gr 

Obverse: Head of Apollo

Reverse: MH to left of anchor, A in left field, crayfish in right field.

History: Apollo is a god in Greek mythology, often shown as a young man with a laurel wreath, and is one of the Twelve Olympians. He also holds a sword in some depictions. Sometimes, a sacrificial tripod is shown beside the god, which represents his prophetic powers. he is the god of the Sun, so he often has a halo surrounding his head He is the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin brother of Artemis. He was the god of healing and medicine, of music and poetry, the leader of the Muses, as well as being a god of revenge and justice. He was closely associated with the art of music. His musical instrument, the lyre, was an invention by the Greek messenger god Hermes, who had accidentally discovered the lyre as a musical instrument when he brushed against a turtle carapace that lay on the ground and, as he did so, heard its sinews begin to vibrate. Hermes, as a child, escaped from his cradle to run away and hide the flocks of Apollo. Apollo discovered the theft and the ensuing quarrel between the gods were ended only by the intervention of Zeus. As part of their reconciliation Apollo allowed Hermes to look after his flocks and in turn Hermes, in order to atone for his transgression, presented the Apollo with the lyre. Apollo’s music was said to be all-powerful, giving stability and bringing order into chaos. Apollo was a very popular cult deity from the Archaic period. People worshiped him in large numbers all over ancient Greece and also in ancient Rome. Numerous festivals were celebrated in his honor, and most of them marked his great deeds and accomplishments.

apollonia