★ Games to celebrate Philippi ★

MACEDON, Thessalonica: Mark Antony and Octavian, issued year 5 = 37 BCE, AE22. 9.96g, 22mm.
Obv: AΓΩNOΘEΣIA, head of Agonothesia right
Rev: ANT KAI in two lines within wreath.
RPC I 1552
From the Justin Lee collection.

Agonothesia refers to the games instituted in Thessalonica to celebrate Antony and Octavian’s victory at Philippi in 42. They included musical, dramatic, and athletic contests.

In the year this coin was issued, Antony and Octavian had just renewed their triumvirate (with Lepidus) and Antony was preparing to invade Parthia with Cleopatra’s help, with a total force of around 200,000 troops. He also installed Herod as King of the Jews.