PHOENICIA. Tripolis. Diadumenian (Caesar, 217-218). Ae. Dated CY 529 (AD 217/218).

Obv: M OΠ ΔIAΔOYMЄNIANOC KAI.
Bare-headed and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: TPIΠOΛITΩN.
The Dioscuri standing facing one another, each holding spear and grape bunch; ΘKΦ (date) in exergue.

Rouvier 1746; BMC 108.

The name 'Dioscuri', sons of Zeus, is used to represent the Thebans Amphion and Zethus, but especially the Spartan twins Castor and Pollux. In actually only Pollux was Zeus' son, as was his sister Helen, while Castor and Clytemnestra were generated by Leda with her husband Tyndareus, who raised all four of them anyway. The Dioscuri took part in several heroic ventures of antiquity and were opponents of Theseus who, with Pirithous, had kidnapped their sister Helen; in fact, they went to rescue her while Theseus was a prisoner in the Underworld and also took his mother with them, making her Helen's slave. They also duelled with the brothers Ida and Lynceus, after kidnapping their women Phoebe and Ilaira. Only Pollux survived the duel, who chose to share with Castor the fate of spending alternately a day among the dead and a day among the immortals. The Dioscuri were also worshipped by the Romans and the constellation Gemini refers to them.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 12.09 g.
Diameter: 25 mm.