Arkadia. Arcadian League, Megalopolis circa 330-275 BC.
Triobol-Hemidrachm AR

15 mm, 2,40 g

Laureate head of Zeus left / Pan seated left on rock, holding lagobolon and raising hand; APK monogram to left, Δ to right, syrinx below.

Very Fine

BCD Peloponnesos (Megalopolis) 1530; HGC 5, 929.

In Greek mythology, Pan is the god of the wild, shepherds, and flocks, often associated with nature, rustic music, and the countryside. He is depicted as a satyr, with the upper body of a human and the horns, ears, legs, and tail of a goat. Pan is known for his mischievous and playful nature, frequently engaging in pranks and chasing nymphs through the woods. Despite his wild and sometimes erratic behavior, he was also revered as a protector of shepherds and their flocks, as well as a deity of fertility and the cycle of life. Pan's most famous attribute is his pan flute, also known as the syrinx, which he crafted from reeds. He was said to be an accomplished musician, often playing enchanting melodies on his flute to entertain the gods and nymphs of the forest. Although not one of the major gods of Olympus, Pan was widely worshipped in ancient Greece, particularly in Arcadia and other rural areas. His influence extended into Roman mythology, where he was equated with the god Faunus. Despite the decline of classical mythology, Pan's legacy continues to resonate in literature, art, and music, symbolizing the untamed spirit of the natural world.