★ BALAKROS ★

CILICIA. Tarsos. Balakros, Satrap of Cilicia (333-323 BC). Stater.

Obv : Lion left, attacking bull right; club to upper left, B to upper right, crenelated walls below.

Rev : Baaltars seated left with scepter; ‘Baaltars’ in Aramaic to right. Controls: Grain ear and grapes to left.
SNG France 365.

Condition : Good very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 10.51 gr
Diameter : 23 mm

Balakros (or Balacrus) was a notable historical figure in ancient Cilicia, particularly in Tarsos, where he served as a satrap (governor) under Alexander the Great. Appointed to this position after Alexander’s conquest of Cilicia around 333 BCE, Balakros was responsible for managing the region, which was crucial due to its strategic location and wealth. Cilicia, and especially the city of Tarsos, played a pivotal role in Alexander’s campaign due to its position along major trade and military routes, connecting Asia Minor with the Levant and Egypt.

Balakros was one of Alexander's loyal officers and is believed to have taken part in many of his campaigns, likely contributing to Alexander's successful battles in the Persian Empire. After Alexander’s victory at the Battle of Issus in 333 BCE, Balakros was placed in charge of Cilicia as its satrap, a role in which he oversaw military and administrative affairs. His responsibilities would have included maintaining order, collecting tribute, managing local resources, and ensuring the region’s loyalty to Alexander’s expanding empire.

In addition to his military and administrative duties, Balakros is known in numismatic history for issuing coins that reflect both Greek and local influences. Coins minted in Tarsos during his tenure often feature symbols associated with Greek and regional culture, representing the blend of Hellenistic and local traditions that characterized Alexander’s empire. Notably, some of these coins feature the god Herakles, a figure associated with strength and heroism, symbolizing Alexander's ideals.

Balakros’s coinage often displayed symbols of power and Hellenistic influence, such as deities and royal insignia, which were intended to assert Greek authority over the local population while honoring their cultural motifs. These coins served both as currency and as political tools, reinforcing Balakros's authority and Alexander’s control over Cilicia.

Balakros’s legacy as a satrap of Tarsos reflects the broader strategies employed by Alexander in consolidating his empire, utilizing trusted military officers to govern key regions. His role helped to establish Greek influence in Cilicia, paving the way for Hellenistic culture to take root and thrive in the region even after Alexander’s death. The coinage and inscriptions from his tenure remain valuable artifacts, shedding light on the fusion of Greek and local elements in Cilician governance under Alexander’s empire.