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From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities
Name/TitleCoin, silver tetradrachm, Dionysios I
About this objectThis tetradrachm has a sophisticated design, representing a high point of Sicilian coin art in antiquity. The coin’s imagery celebrates the homeland and military victory of King Dionysius I of Syracuse. On the obverse side, the head of the nymph Arethusa is depicted with flowing hair as if underwater and surrounded by dolphins. In myth, Arethusa fled underwater from her home in Arcadia on the Greek mainland and resurfaced as a freshwater fountain on the island of Ortygia in Syracuse.
The reverse side depicts a quadriga (a four-horse chariot) and a charioteer about to be crowned by Nike, goddess of victory. The chariot race was a popular aristocratic sport at the ancient Olympic Games and an individual’s association with a chariot team would prove their wealth. Such imagery may therefore have been propaganda for Dionysius’ wealth and prestige. Dionysius was even said to have read his own poetry at the Olympic Games, although it was not received favourably by its audiences.
The dolphins that surround the imagery on both sides of the coin probably signify the importance of the sea to Syracusans and their identity as accomplished seafarers.
Date MadeLate 5th to early 4th Century BC
PeriodLate Classical
Place MadeItaly
Place NotesSyracuse, Sicily
Medium and MaterialsMetal; Silver
TechniqueStriking (metalworking)
MeasurementsWeight 16.53g
Diameter ca. 26mm
Subject and Association KeywordsAnimals in art
Subject and Association KeywordsGoddesses in art
Subject and Association KeywordsWomen in art
Subject and Association KeywordsSports in art
Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Credit LineDonated by Rosemary Tredgold, in thanks to Kate and Sam Adshead, 2006
Object TypeExchange Media
Object number202.06.1
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved