PHRYGIA. Apameia. Hadrian, 117-138. Hemiassarion (Bronze, 18 mm, 4.63 g, 7 h). ΑΥ ΚΑΙ ΤΡ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟC Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right. Rev. ΑΠΑΜΕ/ΩΝ ΜΑΡCΥ/ΑC Marsyas advancing to right, playing a double flute. BMC 152-4. RPC 2585. Green patina. Nice portrait and good strike. Very fine.

Marsyas was a Phrygian satyr connected to the worship of Dionysos via his flute playing: he was one of the Tityroi, the double-flute playing satyrs in the train of the god. Legend said that it was Marsyas who invented flute playing. The story goes that Athena had crafted the very first flute, but discarded it because she did not like how it disfigured her cheeks when she blew into it. Marsyas found it and played it beautifully. He felt that he was so good that he challenged the god Apollo to a musical contest, the winner to determine the fate of the loser. Apollo won, of course, and after tying Marsyas to a tree he flayed him alive for his presumption of challenging him.