LYDIA. Sardis. time of Trajan to Hadrian, 98-138. Diassarion (Bronze, 24 mm, 6.48 g, 6 h). Bearded head of Herakles to left. Rev. CΑΡΔΙ-ΑΝΩΝ Omphale standing right with lion’s skin over her shoulders, holding club in her left hand and her drapery with her right. BMC 79-80. RPC III 2411. SNG Copenhagen 509. SNG von Aulock 3140. Dark green patina. Some rough areas, otherwise, very fine.

Omphale, a mythical queen of Lydia, received Herakles to do her bidding for a year in punishment for his murder of Iphytus. He even had to help her with her spinning, and she, as we see here, wore his lion’s skin and wielded his club. Struck by his charm she later freed and married him, and their children were the ancestors of the later Heraclid dynasty of Sardis.