Gela
Dilitron circa 416-405, AV 1.74 g. Rider on horse pacing r., wearing chiton, Phrygian helmet and boots, holding in r. hand reins and in l. spear. Rev. ΓΕΛΑΣ Forepart of man-headed bull (the river-god Gelas) r.; above, barley grain. Rizzo pl. XIX, 6 (these dies). BMC 1. de Luynes 939 (these dies). AMB 292 (these dies). Jenkins 490. Of the highest rarity, the fifth specimen known and one of only three in private hands. A very interesting and fascinating issue struck on a very large flan. Almost invisible marks, otherwise extremely fine From an Exceptional Collection assembled between the early 70s and late 90s. Despite the rising power of Syracuse as the fifth century progressed, Gela still retained much influence among the Greek cities of Sicily. In 415 B.C., a congress at Gela established an alliance that thwarted Athenian attempts to conquer the island and ultimately led to the destruction of the Athenians at the siege of Syracuse in 413 B.C. Thanks to Gela, the Greek cities of Sicily had weathered the storm and remained independent of the faltering Athenian Empire. Unfortunately, a new menace loomed on the horizon in the form of the Carthaginians. When a great Punic army marched against Agrigentum and destroyed it in 406 B.C., the Geloans gave refuge to the survivors. Knowing that their wealthy city would be the next target, the Geloans begged for assistance from Dionysios I, the ruling tyrant of Syracuse. The Carthaginians lay siege to Gela in 405 B.C. and probably would have taken the poorly fortified city immediately if not for the bravery of the defenders. The Geloans managed to hold out until Dionysios I arrived with an army, but when this was defeated they were forced to surrender the city to plunder and destruction by the Carthaginians, escaping with their families to Leontini. This gold dilitron was struck as an emergency issue in the dark days as the Punic noose began to tighten around Gela.