Dynasts of Lycia. Teththiveibi 450-420 BC.
Stater AR

18 mm, 8,45 g

Forepart of boar on round shield / Tetraskeles, T↑XXEF↑EBE around, within dotted border within incuse square.

Very Fine

Traité II, 322; Müseler V, 41.

A tetraskeles is an ancient symbol that features four bent or curved arms radiating from a central point, creating a shape that resembles a swastika or a pinwheel. The term "tetraskeles" comes from the Greek words "tetra," meaning four, and "skelos," meaning leg, reflecting the symbol's four "legs" or arms. The tetraskeles was used in various ancient cultures, including Greek, Roman, and other Mediterranean societies, often as a decorative motif or symbol of good fortune, movement, or the sun. It appears in different orientations and variations but always maintains the characteristic four-armed design. In ancient Greek coinage, the tetraskeles was sometimes used as a decorative element, particularly on coins from regions in Asia Minor. It could be associated with themes of prosperity, vitality, and the cyclical nature of life, symbolizing the ongoing and dynamic forces in the universe The tetraskeles is closely related to the more commonly recognized swastika, which has similar origins and meanings in various cultures. In its ancient context, the tetraskeles was a positive symbol, often linked to divine favor and protection, long before it was appropriated for negative connotations in the 20th century