Greek States - Akragas (Sicily) AE Onkia (416-06BC)
Offered is a choice bronze ‘Eagle / Crab’ Onkia from the Greek city-state of Akragas, dating from 416-06BC, Buceti#138. Detailed, well struck, and problem-free examples of this coinage are a very tough ask, making this superb piece an opportunity not to be missed!
Founded around 580BC by Greek colonists from Gela on a plateau overlooking the sea, two nearby rivers (Hypsas and Akragas), and a ridge to the north offered a degree of natural fortification.
Akragas grew rapidly from its founding, becoming one of the richest and most famous of the Greek colonies of Magna Graecia, particularly under the sixth-century tyrants Phalaris and Theron, becoming a democracy after the overthrow of Theron's son Thrasydaeus. Although the city remained neutral in the conflict between Athens and Syracuse, its democracy was overthrown when the city was sacked by the Carthaginians in 406 BCE. Akragas never fully recovered its former status, though it revived to some extent under Timoleon in the latter part of the fourth century.
The city was disputed between the Romans and the Carthaginians during the First Punic War, after which it was given (along with the rest of Punic Sicily) to Rome. It then suffered badly during the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE) when both Rome and Carthage fought to control it. The Romans eventually captured Akragas in 210 BCE and renamed it Agrigentum, although it remained a largely Greek-speaking community for centuries thereafter. It became prosperous again under Roman rule and its inhabitants received full Roman citizenship following the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE.
Offered is a choice bronze ‘Eagle / Crab’ Onkia from the Greek city-state of Akragas, dating from 416-06BC, Buceti#138. Detailed, well struck, and problem-free examples of this coinage are a very tough ask, making this superb piece an opportunity not to be missed!
Founded around 580BC by Greek colonists from Gela on a plateau overlooking the sea, two nearby rivers (Hypsas and Akragas), and a ridge to the north offered a degree of natural fortification.
Akragas grew rapidly from its founding, becoming one of the richest and most famous of the Greek colonies of Magna Graecia, particularly under the sixth-century tyrants Phalaris and Theron, becoming a democracy after the overthrow of Theron's son Thrasydaeus. Although the city remained neutral in the conflict between Athens and Syracuse, its democracy was overthrown when the city was sacked by the Carthaginians in 406 BCE. Akragas never fully recovered its former status, though it revived to some extent under Timoleon in the latter part of the fourth century.
The city was disputed between the Romans and the Carthaginians during the First Punic War, after which it was given (along with the rest of Punic Sicily) to Rome. It then suffered badly during the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE) when both Rome and Carthage fought to control it. The Romans eventually captured Akragas in 210 BCE and renamed it Agrigentum, although it remained a largely Greek-speaking community for centuries thereafter. It became prosperous again under Roman rule and its inhabitants received full Roman citizenship following the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE.
Offered is a choice bronze ‘Eagle / Crab’ Onkia from the Greek city-state of Akragas, dating from 416-06BC, Buceti#138. Detailed, well struck, and problem-free examples of this coinage are a very tough ask, making this superb piece an opportunity not to be missed!
Founded around 580BC by Greek colonists from Gela on a plateau overlooking the sea, two nearby rivers (Hypsas and Akragas), and a ridge to the north offered a degree of natural fortification.
Akragas grew rapidly from its founding, becoming one of the richest and most famous of the Greek colonies of Magna Graecia, particularly under the sixth-century tyrants Phalaris and Theron, becoming a democracy after the overthrow of Theron's son Thrasydaeus. Although the city remained neutral in the conflict between Athens and Syracuse, its democracy was overthrown when the city was sacked by the Carthaginians in 406 BCE. Akragas never fully recovered its former status, though it revived to some extent under Timoleon in the latter part of the fourth century.
The city was disputed between the Romans and the Carthaginians during the First Punic War, after which it was given (along with the rest of Punic Sicily) to Rome. It then suffered badly during the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE) when both Rome and Carthage fought to control it. The Romans eventually captured Akragas in 210 BCE and renamed it Agrigentum, although it remained a largely Greek-speaking community for centuries thereafter. It became prosperous again under Roman rule and its inhabitants received full Roman citizenship following the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE.