Alexander and Darius in Cilicia

[Sulla80]

Painting by Guillaume Courtois, Jacques Courtois ("Le Bourguignon"), and Pietro Berrettini Da Cortona, created between 1662–1664, depicting Alexander the Great and Darius III, located in the King's Apartment (Grand Couvert) at Versailles, dimensions 188.1 x 344.8 cm, oil on canvas.

The Battle of Gaugamela is a military engagement that shifts history. It leads to the collapse of the Persian Empire. The victory opens the path for Alexander III "The Great" to rule over much of the ancient world. Cilicia is the southeastern edge of modern Turkiye.
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This coin was issued before the Battle of Gaugamela. Mazaeus was a key leader in the battles against Alexander, but peacefully surrendered Babylon after the defeat and Death of Darius III at Gaugamela (331 BCE).

For more on this coin see: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/masaeus-satrap-of-cilicia

Share coins of Cilicia under Persian rule, coins of Alexander the Great, or anything else you find interesting or entertaining.

[Al Kowsky]

The Romans gained control of Cilicia by Pompey in 67 BCE, & Tarsus was named capital of the Roman province of Cilicia. In AD 259 the Sasanian King Shapur I defeated the forces of Valerian & sacked several major cities in the province, along with capturing Valerian & making him a prized captive. 

Edited October 27, 2024 by Al Kowsky

[kirispupis]

That's a beautiful example and great writeup!

Tarsos. Mazaios, Satrap. Circa 361-334 BC. AR Stater.
Baaltars seated left, holding sceptre surmounted by an eagle in right hand,
left arm at side; grain ear, bunch of grapes to left, monogram under throne
/ Lion attacking bull above double row of turreted walls.
10.11g
SNG Levante 113; SNG France 360

 

Cilicia, Tarsos AR Stater.
Balakros, satrap of Cilicia under Alexander III.
Circa 333-323 BCE
Facing bust of Athena, draped, wearing triple-crested helmet and necklace / Baaltars seated to left, holding lotus-tipped sceptre; grain ear and grape bunch to left, B above ivy leaf to right, T below throne.
SNG Levante Suppl. 21; SNG BnF 368; SNG von Aulock 5964.
10.79g, 26mm, 6h

 

Cilicia, Tarsos
AR Stater 10.62g, 20mm, 9h.
Circa 440-400 BCE
Horseman (Syennesis?) riding to left, wearing kyrbasia, holding lotus flower in right hand and reins in left, bow in bowcase on saddle; key symbol below horse, eagle(?) standing to left behind / Archer in kneeling-running stance to right, quiver over shoulder, drawing bow; key symbol behind, 'trz' in Aramaic on the lower right; all within dotted border within incuse square
BMC -; SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG Levante -; SNG BnF -, cf. 213 for types = Casabonne Type D2, pl. 2, 10 = MIMAA pl. V, 6 = Traité II, 523

 

Cilicia, Soloi Tiribazos, satrap.
AR Stater 9.92g, 21mm, 6h
Circa 385-380 BCE
Bearded head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin around neck
Bearded head of satrap to right, wearing bashlyk; ΣΟΛEΩ[N] around
SNG BnF 159; Traité II, 566; SNG Levante -

 

Cilicia, Tarsos: Pharnabazos
379-374 BCE
AR stater, 24mm, 10.3 g
Female head facing
Bearded and helmeted head left, test cut and two countermarks, one of "bull crossing (with crescent?)" and one of "wolf leaping with crescent at rear" (Callatay countermarks B and C)
SNG Cop. 266

[Deinomenid]

Slightly earlier than Alexander the Great (no quotations marks around Great 🙂), here's a coin of the underrated Datames, a highly competent general and administrator, who is often referenced in the buildup to Philip and Alexander's adventures east, mostly as further exposing the weaknesses and mixed loyalties in the vast Persian empire. The coin is possibly overly-busy with symbols, but hopefully fits the bill.

 

Datames in rebellion against the Great King, 372-361 BC. BC AR stater; 10.47g. Baaltar sits r. with eagle scepter, ear of wheat and grapes, in front of it thymiaterion, under the throne lion r.//Satrap sits r. and checks arrow, in front of it winged disk and bow, r. rectangular counterstamp: bull (?).

[Alegandron]

I regret that I had a print of that scene of Gaugemela. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged in one of my many moves. Frustrating.

I only have this Siglos of Darius III / Alexander III time period...


Persia Achaemenid 
Type IV 
Artaxerxes II to Darius III 
375-336 BCE 
AR Siglos 
15.2mm 5.45g 
running daggar bow 
incuse 
BMC 172ff rev

[Alegandron]

It is possible this could be Darius III…

CILICIA Uncertain mint Early-mid 4th C BCE AR Tetartemorion 5mm 0.17g Persian king running dagger and bow - Crowned hd Achaemenid king CNG E239 Troxell Kagan 4

[Alegandron]

Alexander almost lost it all at the Battle of Granicus… he was a bit hasty in his decisions and battle plan. He was lucky to win the battle, and was almost killed by Spithridates.

Persian Satrap


Persia Spithridates Achaemenid satrap of Sparda-Lydia and Ionia- 334 BCE AE10 1.20g wearing Persian headdress - Forepart galloping horse r Klein 367, Cop 1538

Comment: This is the Satrap that ALMOST killed Alexander III of Makedon (later the Great) at the Battle of Granicus. Instead Cleitus lopped off his arm just as Spithradates was lowering his scimitar onto Alexander.

[Alegandron]

Makedon Alexander III Lifetime Tet Tarsos mint- near Issus, Price 2999

[JAZ Numismatics]

Great coins everyone. OP coin is a superb example of the type!

[Alegandron]

ALEXANDER III When he died in Babylon

Makedon Alexander III - Alexandrine Babylon Di-Shekel Tet 24mm 16.35g LIFETIME 328-311 Baal - Lion

[Sulla80]

Great coins from all - @kirispupis an impressive collection! and @Alegandron - the AR Tetartemorion is impressive in detail for a 5mm 0.17g coin.