★ Tarkondimotos the "friend of Mark Antony" ★

KINGS OF CILICIA. Tarkondimotos, king of Eastern Cilicia, circa 39-31 BC. (Bronze, 22 mm, 7.82 g, 12 h), Anazarbos. Diademed head of Tarkondimotos to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΤΑΡΚΟΝΔΙΜΟ ΤΟΥ [ΦΙΛΑΝΤΩΝ] Zeus seated to left on a throne with back, crowned by Nike held in his extended right hand and holding a long sceptre with his left. RPC 3871. SNG Levante 125. SNG Paris 1913. Realistic portrait; fine green patina. Some striking flatness and uncleaned deposits, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

During the Roman Civil war, Tarkondimotos was a supporter of Pompey. After Pompey's defeat in Pharsalos he was pardoned by Caesar and kept his privileges. He then supported Mark Antony against Octavian, and lost his life in 31 BC while fighting Agrippa. His devotion to Mark Antony was such, that adopted in his royal title the epithet "Φιλαντώνιος" (friend of Antonios), which he proudly placed on his coins.