Description:
This coin was minted during the 1st century BC in the historic city of Antioch, which was located in present-day southern Turkey. This region was under Persian control until Alexander the Great defeated the Persians in the Battle of Issus in 333 BC. After the death of Alexander, this Greek land became the Seleucid Empire, ruled and named after one of Alexander's generals Seleucus I Nicator. With its prized location along major trade routes, including the Silk Road, Seleucus founded Antioch and the city quickly prospered. Antioch was the capital of the Seleucid Empire until 63 BC, when the Romans took control of the city. Julius Caesar visited here in 47 BC and the city was favored by subsequent emperors. Antioch grew to more than 500,000 inhabitants, becoming the 3rd largest city in the empire after Rome and Alexandria.
Athena is featured on this ancient coin wearing a high-crested Corinthian helmet. In Greek mythology, Athena was the goddess of wisdom, peace, warfare, strategy and reason. Among her gifts to man were the inventions of the plow and the flute, the arts of taming animals, building ships along with making shoes. An armed warrior goddess, Athena appears in Greek mythology as a helper of many heroes, including Odysseus, Jason and Hercules.
On the reverse side, winged Nike is shown holding a wreath and a palm frond. Nike, the goddess of strength, speed and victory would fly around battlefields rewarding the victors with glory and fame. She was the goddess who personified triumph throughout the ages of the Greek culture.
