Lot 55-047. Sikyonia, Sikyon. Ca. 330 B.C. AR drachm.

Sikyonia, Sikyon. Ca. 330 B.C. AR drachm (19.2 mm, 5.48 g, 1 h). Chimaera advancing left; ΣE below / Dove flying left within olive wreath. BCD 219; BMC 56. aVF. 

The earliest description of the Chimera comes from Homer's Illiad, "a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire."There are a few myths associated with the Chimera but the most popular is from Corinth, where the beast attacked the city on a nightly basis, carrying off women, children, and livestock. Athena appeared to Bellerophon in a dream and gave him the golden bridle, allowing him to tame the Pegasos. Belleraphon was able to slay the Chimera while riding Pegasos, by driving a spear through its heart. Another variation of the myth is that the spear ended with a clump of lead, when heated by the Chimera's flaming breath, melted and sealed the monster's throat.

 

Estimate:

$  250.00

Final Price:

$ 150.00 (1 bid(s))
Approximately EUR 0.00 / GBP 0.00

$  ( bid(s))
Approximately EUR / GBP

Time remaining:

Bidding closed (Tuesday, 10 May 2016, 12:23:00)
Current time: Sunday, November 24th, 23:00:18