Ancient Greece - AR Stater - Hercules & Nemean Lion. - Circa 370 BCE
$4,200
Denomination: AR Stater
Mint: Cilicia, Tarsus
Date: 370 BCE
Weight: 10.03 gm (23mm)
Grade: NGC (8214065-003) Choice VF 4/5 - 2/5.
Mount: Sterling Silver with 14K prongs and bale.
Description: Brushed. Obverse: Heracles kneeling left (on right), nude, both arms wrapped around neck of the Nemean lion, crouching right (on left), trying to bite Heracles' right leg; club right below. Reverse: / TEPΣIKON, head of Hera or Aphrodite left, wearing pendant earring, beaded necklace, and turreted stephane decorated with palmette flanked by two medallions.
History: The most popular of Greek heroes, Hercules (Herakles) was celebrated in stories, sculptures, paintings and coins. He was born in Thebes, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, Amphitryon's wife, and the twin brother of Iphicles, while his mortal parents were in exile from Argolis, their true homeland. Because of Hera's jealousy of Alcmene, Heracles was deprived of the kingdom of Mycenae in favor of his father's cousin Eurystheus, yet another grand-son of Perseus, who later subjected him to his famous labors. King Eurystheus decided Hercules' first task would be to bring him the skin of an invulnerable lion which terrorized the hills around Nemea. When Hercules got to Nemea and began tracking the terrible lion, he soon discovered his arrows were useless against the beast. Hercules picked up his club and went after the lion. Following it to a cave which had two entrances, Hercules blocked one of the doorways, then approached the fierce lion through the other. Grasping the lion in his mighty arms, and ignoring its powerful claws, he held it tightly until he'd choked it to death.
When Hercules made it back to Mycenae, Eurystheus was amazed that the hero had managed such an impossible task. The king became afraid of Hercules, and forbade him from entering through the gates of the city. Furthermore, Eurystheus had a large bronze jar made and buried partway in the earth, where he could hide from Hercules if need be. After that, Eurystheus sent his commands to Hercules through a herald, refusing to see the powerful hero face to face.
Aphrodite is the goddess of love, desire and beauty. In addition to her natural gifts she has a magical girdle that compels anyone she wishes to desire her.
