Calabria, Tarentum, AR Nomos, Circa 272-240 BC, Youth Horseback / Taras on Dolphin

$780.00

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Description

Greek, Calabria, Tarentum,Ā  Agatharkos, magistrate, AR Nomos (silver, 6.39g, 19mm), Circa 272-240 BC
Obv: Youth on horseback to right, crowning horse with wreath; Ī‘Ī“Ī‘Ī˜ Ī‘Ī”ĪžĪŸĪ£ in two lines below
Rev: Taras astride dolphin to left, holding kantharos and cornucopiae; torch behind, TAPAĪ£ below
Ref: Vlasto 852-4; HN Italy 1028 Rarity/Choice: Common, EF (of fine style)
Note: Taras, the eponymous founder of the city of Tarentum (modern Taranto) in Calabria, is steeped in legend and symbolism. According to mythology, Taras was the son of the sea god Poseidon and a nymph named Satyrion. As the myth goes, Taras was born in the sea and was initially left to die by the pirates who had kidnapped his mother. However, a compassionate dolphin intervened, rescuing the infant Taras and bringing him safely to the shore. This act of kindness by the dolphin saved Taras’s life and became a central part of his legend. In gratitude for the dolphin’s help, Taras honored it by depicting himself riding on the back of a dolphin, an image that became closely associated with him and the city he founded. This symbolism not only celebrated his miraculous birth and rescue but also represented the close connection between Taras, the sea, and the divine. This mythological narrative not only served to explain the origins of Tarentum but also emphasized the city’s close ties to the sea and its divine protection. It became an integral part of Tarentum’s identity and was celebrated through art, literature, and coinage throughout its history.

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