bgr_930739 - BITHYNIA - BITHYNIAN KINGDOM - SOCRATES CHRESTUS Tétradrachme

BITHYNIA - BITHYNIAN KINGDOM - SOCRATES CHRESTUS Tétradrachme AU

1 200.00 €(Approx. 1272.00$ | 996.00£)

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Type : Tétradrachme

Date: an 205

Mint name / Town : Nicomédie, Bithynie

Metal : silver

Diameter : 29,5 mm

Orientation dies : 1 h.

Weight : 15,39 g.

Rarity : R2

Coments on the condition:

Flan large, centré des deux côtés. Très beau portrait de Nicomède. Revers agréable, bien venu à la frappe. Patine grise avec de légers reflets dorés

Catalogue references :

Aulock6901 - RQEMH.199 - Cop.651 var. - HGM.159 pl. 21 - RG.40

Obverse

Obverse legend : ANÉPIGRAPHE.

Obverse description : Tête diadémée du roi Nicomède à droite.

Reverse

Reverse description : Zeus nu jusqu’à la ceinture, barbu debout à gauche, tenant un sceptre long de main gauche et couronnant le nom de Nicomède de la main droite ; dans le champ à gauche, un petit aigle debout à gauche sur un foudre.

Reverse legend : BASILEWS/ EPIFANOUS/ NIKOMHDOU/ ES/ (MATR).

Reverse translation : (du roi lumineux Nicomède an 205).

Historical background

BITHYNIA - BITHYNIAN KINGDOM - SOCRATES CHRESTUS

(93-88 BC)

Socrates is an adulterine son of Nicomedes III like his half-brother Nicomedes IV. He lives withdrawn to Cyzicus and immediately recognizes his brother upon his accession. While Nicomedes IV married Nysa, daughter of Ariarathes VI of Cappadocia and niece of Mithridates VI of Pontus, Socrates travels to Nicomedia and denounces a plot by Nysa to overthrow her husband. Nicomedes grants him the title of Chrestos (the Good). The following year, he went to Rome to claim his inheritance, he was dismissed and then returned to Cyzicus. After incredible adventures, he finds himself with Mithridates VI of Pontus who helps him invade Bithynia. Nicomedes fled and went to seek justice in Rome (91 BC). Nicomedes is restored by Manius Aquillius. Mithridates seizes Cappadocia. Nicomedes at the head of a large army is beaten by Mithridates as well as Aquillius and Cassius. Nicomedes finds refuge in Rome. Mithridates VI invades the province of Asia. He gets rid of Socrates who is no longer of any use to him. The First Mithridatic War ends with the Treaty of Dardanos in 86 BC.

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