SATRAPS of CARIA.Maussolos.(Circa 377-353 BC).Halikarnassos.Drachm.

Obv : Laureate head of Apollo facing slightly right.

Rev : MAYΣΣΩΛΛON.
Zeus standing right, holding sceptre and labrys.
SNG Kayhan I 879.

Condition : Good very fine.

Weight : 3.61 gr
Diameter : 13 mm

Caria Maussollos (377-353 BC) was a Satrap (governor) of the Persian Empire in the 4th century BC. He ruled over the province of Caria, which is located in what is now southwestern Turkey. Maussollos was known for his ambitious building projects, and he initiated the construction of a monumental tomb for himself and his wife, Artemisia II, in the city of Halicarnassus.

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, as it became known, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a massive structure, standing over 140 feet tall, with intricate sculptures depicting scenes from Greek mythology. The mausoleum was completed after Maussollos' death by his wife Artemisia II, who is said to have declared a year-long mourning period in honor of her husband.

Maussollos was also known for his military campaigns, and he successfully expanded the territory of Caria during his reign. He sparked a cultural and artistic renaissance in the region, encouraging the construction of many other elaborate buildings and monuments.

Today, little remains of Maussollos' legacy. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was destroyed by an earthquake in the 15th century, and most of the materials were used to build a castle in the area. However, the influence of Maussollos on the region's architecture and culture can still be seen in the surviving ruins and artifacts.