Seleukid Coins
Antiochos IX
| Identification Number A09-AE-01 | |
| Mint: | Tarsos1 |
| Period: | c. 114 - 112 BC (first reign) |
| Denomination: | AE Unit |
| Weight: | 8.55 g |
| Diameter: | 22 - 23 mm |
| Obverse: | Diademed, lightly bearded head of Antiochos IX right; dotted border |
| Reverse: | ‘[Β]ΑΣΙΛΕ[ΩΣ] ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ’ right, ‘ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟ[Σ]’ left (“of King Antiochos, the Father-loving”); Dionysos in short chiton standing left, holding kantharos2 in outstretched right hand and thyrsos3 with left hand; ‘Ε’ above ‘Π’ in outer left field |
| Die Position: | c. 5º |
| References: | Houghton, CSE, 498-499 var. (different control mark in the lower left field); Hunterian Coll. III, p. 107, No. 31; SNG Spaer, 2725 var. (no visible control marks) |
1 The most important city of ancient Cilicia. Located near the Mediterranean Sea coast on the Tarsus river (ancient Kydnos), present-day Mersin Province, Turkey.
Strabo, Geography, 14.5.12-15: As for Tarsus, it lies in a plain; and it was founded by the Argives who wandered with Triptolemus in quest of Io; and it is intersected in the middle by the Cydnus River, which flows past the very gymnasium of the young men. Now inasmuch as the source of the river is not very far away and its stream passes through a deep ravine and then empties immediately into the city, its discharge is both cold and swift; and hence it is helpful both to men and to cattle that are suffering from swollen sinews, if they immerse themselves in its waters.
The people at Tarsus have devoted themselves so eagerly, not only to philosophy, but also to the whole round of education in general, that they have surpassed Athens, Alexandria, or any other place that can be named where there have been schools and lectures of philosophers. But it is so different from other cities that there the men who are fond of learning, are all natives, and foreigners are not inclined to sojourn there; neither do these natives stay there, but they complete their education abroad; and when they have completed it they are pleased to live abroad, and but few go back home. ... Further, the city of Tarsus has all kinds of schools of rhetoric; and in general it not only has a flourishing population but also is most powerful, thus keeping up the reputation of the mother-city.
The following men were natives of Tarsus: among the Stoics, Antipater and Archedemus and Nestor; and also the two Athenodoruses, one of whom, called Cordylion, lived with Marcus Cato and died at his house; and the other, the son of Sandon, called Cananites after some village, was Caesar’s teacher and was greatly honored by him; ...
Among the other philosophers from Tarsus, “whom I could well note and tell their names,” (Homer, Illiad iii.235) are Plutiades and Diogenes, who were among those philosophers that went round from city to city and conducted schools in an able manner. Diogenes also composed poems, as if by inspiration, when a subject was given him – for the most part tragic poems; and as for grammarians whose writings are extant, there are Artemidorus and Diodorus; and the best tragic poet among those enumerated in the “Pleias” was Dionysides. But it is Rome that is best able to tell us the number of learned men from this city; for it is full of Tarsians and Alexandrians. Such is Tarsus.
2 A drinking-cup, furnished with handles. It was sacred to Dionysos, who is frequently represented on ancient vases holding it in his hand. (Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities)
3 A staff (originally a spear) carried by Dionysos and his attendants, and wreathed with ivy and vine-leaves, terminating at the top in a pine-cone. (Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities)