Diomedes Ancient Coins

According to G. F. Hill in The Ancient Coinage of Saudi Arabia “ Roughly speaking, we may assume that the earliest coins, which are direct imitations of the earlier Attic coinage, belong to the Sabaean period, while the later, flat coins (of that which we may for convenience call the San'a class), 1 with a reverse type derived from the Attic coinage of the 'New Style ', the small coins with names and heads of various kings, and the 'bucranium' series must certainly belong to the Himyarite period… large coins are quite exceptional, and we are justified in regarding as the ordinary unit the smaller coins of 5.55 g maximum” (this one is 5.39g). The coins of the class with which we are dealing bear nothing Sabaean or Himyarite about them save their style and the letter on the cheek of Athena. They still retain traces of the incuse square, and were dated by Head 6 about 400 B.C. It is, however, clear from the treatment of the eye that they are imitated from the comparatively late Attic coins which may themselves be dated to the fourth century (circa 393-322 B.C. according to Head). The earliest imitations themselves are scarcely earlier than the third century.

Vologases first presented himself as a claimant for the Parthian throne around A.D. 105, near the end of the reign of Pacorus II, and he continued as a rival for the throne through the reign of Osroes I (c. A.D. 109 - 129). Vologases III's reign was marked by civil strife and warfare. At his ascension, he had to deal with the usurper Osroes I (r. 109–129), who managed to seize the western part of the empire, which left Vologases III in control of its eastern parts. He took advantage of the weakened state of Osroes I to regain lost territory after the east was invaded by the Roman emperor Trajan, and finally defeated him in 129. Another contender named Mithridates V shortly appeared afterwards, but was also defeated by Vologases III, in 140. His coinage was prolific, perhaps the most common of all the Parthian rulers, indicating a long rule and probably a vibrant economy.

Sidon was one of the most important Phoenician cities, and it may have been the oldest. From there and other ports, a great Mediterranean commercial empire was founded. Homer praised the skill of its craftsmen in producing glass, purple dyes, and its women's skill at the art of embroidery. It was also from here that a colonising party went to found the city of Tyre. Tyre also grew into a great city, and in subsequent years there was competition between the two, each claiming to be the metropolis ('Mother City') of Phoenicia. Like other Phoenician city-states, Sidon suffered from a succession of conquerors, first by the Persian Achaemenid empire in the 6th century BC, ending with its occupation by Alexander the Great in 333 BC, and the start of the Hellenistic era of Sidon's history. [Wikipedia] Baalshallim II was a Phoenician king of the city of Sidon, and his name is found on the coins abbreviated to a B - of course written as a Phoenician character - found above the galley on the obverse of the coin. Politically, Baalshallim took an anti-Greek stance by supporting the Persians in their war against Sparta, sending ships to fight at the Battle of Cnidus in 394 BC. Some of these coins have neither the Phoenician 'B' above the penteconter galley, nor the Phoenician 'O'-like character on the reverse - instead they show a date in Phoenician characters.

Elymais was an ancient kingdom located in what is now southwestern Iran, flourishing from approximately 147 BC to 224 AD, with its capital and major trade centre at Susa. The coins of Elymais are notable for their unique blend of Greek, Parthian, and indigenous elements, reflecting the region's cultural and political influences. The earliest reference to the Elymaeans is by Nearchus, the admiral of Alexander the Great, in a passage preserved by Strabo (2.13.6). He relates that the “Elymaei” were one of the four predatory tribes in what is now southwestern Persia, who extracted tribute from the Persian (Achaemenid) kings. Strabo describes Elymais as a mostly rugged country bordering on Susis and inhabited by brigands who waged war against the Susians (Strabo, 15.3.12, 16.1.17). Most of the population probably descended from the ancient Elamites, who once had control of that area. The Elymaeans were reputed to be skilled archers. In 187 BC, they killed Antiochus III the Great after he had pillaged their temple of Bel. With the advent of the Sasanian empire in Persia, Elymais finally lost it's independence to Ardashir I in 227 AD. Typically made of bronze and, less frequently, silver, Elymais coins are characterized by their distinctive designs and iconography. The silver coinage is based on reduced weight tetradrachms. The obverse often features a stylized portrait of the ruling king, distinguished by elaborate headdresses, which signify the ruler's status and authority. These portraits sometimes appear crude, with exaggerated facial features and simplistic artistic execution, suggesting local minting practices and techniques. The reverse side commonly depicts a variety of symbols, including deities, animals, and religious motifs. Prominent among these is the depiction of the goddess Artemis or regional deities, indicative of the local religious practices. Inscriptions are typically in Greek, reflecting the Hellenistic influence that permeated the region following Alexander the Great's conquests. However this coin features an uncertain male bust left surrounded by blundered Greek legends. Complete, the legend would read BAΣIΛEΩΣ KAMNAΣKIPOY TOY EΓ BAΣIΛEΩΣ KAMNAΣKIPOY. The anchor behind the royal bust originated as a Seleucid symbol. Kamnaskires V likely ruled in the early to mid-2nd century AD, although precise dates are difficult to ascertain due to the fragmented historical sources. Elymais during this period was a vassal state under the influence of the Parthian Empire.

Phraates IV was King of Kings of the Parthian Empire from 37 to 2 BC. He was the son and successor of Orodes II (r. 57–37 BC), and was given the throne after the death of his brother Pacorus I. Phraates IV soon murdered all his brothers, and also possibly his father. His actions alienated the Armenians and also some of his nobles, including the distinguished Monaeses, who fled to the Roman triumvir Mark Antony, but shortly returned and reconciled with Phraates IV. Phraates IV was attacked in 36 BC by Mark Antony, who marched through Armenia into Media Atropatene, and was defeated and lost the greater part of his army. Antony, believing himself betrayed by Artavasdes II, king of Armenia, invaded his kingdom in 34 BC, took him prisoner, and concluded a treaty with Artavasdes I, king of Media Atropatene. Octavian (now known as Augustus) gave Phraates IV an Italian slave-girl named Musa, who quickly became queen and a favourite of Phraates IV, giving birth to Phraataces (Phraates V). Seeking to secure the throne for her son, Musa convinced Phraates IV to send his four first-born sons (Vonones, Phraates, Seraspandes and Rhodaspes) to Rome in order to prevent conflict over his succession. In 2 BC, Musa had Phraates IV poisoned and made herself along with Phraates V the co-rulers of the empire.