Thrace. Abdera. ΠΡΩΤΗΣ (Protes), magistrate 395-360 BC.
Tetrobol AR

16 mm, 2,76 g

Griffin springing left / Laureate head of Apollo left; ΠPΩTHΣ above, ivy leaf below chin; all in linear square within incuse square.

extremely fine

HGC 3.2, 1217; May, Abdera, Period VI, 330. Ex Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger Auction 240, Lot 71 (2005).

Abdera, an ancient city located on the Thracian coast of northeastern Greece, has a rich blend of mythological and historical significance. According to Greek mythology, the city was named after Abderus, a beloved companion of the hero Heracles. Abderus met a tragic end when, after helping Heracles capture the flesh-eating mares of Diomedes, he was overpowered and devoured by the savage creatures. In mourning, Heracles founded the city at the site of Abderus's death, immortalizing his friend in the city's name. Historically, Abdera was first settled in 654 BC by colonists from Clazomenae, an Ionian city. This early settlement attempt failed, likely due to conflicts with the warlike Thracian tribes in the area. However, the site was revisited in 544 BC by settlers from another Ionian city, Teos. These new colonists, fleeing their homeland under the threat of Persian rule, abandoned Teos under the cover of night and established a new city at Abdera. This second effort proved successful, and Abdera quickly grew into a prosperous and influential city-state. The city's wealth was largely derived from its strategic location along important trade routes and its access to valuable natural resources. Abdera was known for its silver mines, and it also produced and traded commodities like fish, wine, and grain. This economic prosperity allowed Abdera to mint high-quality coins, which were widely circulated throughout the Greek world. The coins of Abdera are particularly notable for their depiction of the griffin, a mythological creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. This symbol was chosen as a connection to the settlers' Ionian origins, specifically to Teos, where the griffin was also a prominent symbol on coinage. Interestingly, the griffin on Abdera's coins typically faces left, while on Teos's coins, it faces right—perhaps a symbolic gesture distinguishing the new city's identity while honoring its mother-city. Abdera was not only an economic power but also a cultural center. It was the birthplace of several important philosophers, including Democritus, who is credited with formulating an early atomic theory of the universe, and Protagoras, a leading sophist known for his assertion that "Man is the measure of all things." These intellectual figures contributed to Abdera's reputation as a center of learning and philosophical inquiry.