HomeAncient Greek Coins - The Mythology of Ajax the Lesser

Ancient Greek Coins – The Mythology of Ajax the Lesser

Ancient Greek Coins Lokris, Lokri Opuntii. Silver Stater ca. 350-340 BC. Head of Demeter

Ancient Greek Coins By Russell A. Augustin, AU Capital Management, LLC ……

The Colosseo Collection ……
Opus was a small, infertile territory on the coast of mainland Greece, surrounded by larger, more powerful states. While their inhabitants, the Lokrians, made a relatively small impact in history, they produced a beautiful and extensive series of ancient Greek coins.

Mercenaries returning home after the Peace of Antalkidas in 387 BCE brought considerable amounts of silver with them. These Syracusian coins represented their salary, thus providing the bullion and models for the coinage of their home city. It is likely that Lokris may have needed to produce new coins to pay for its military expenses in the continual conflict with neighboring Phokis during the Third Sacred War.

There are some varying opinions about who is depicted on the obverse. It is clear, however, that the inspiration was the Syracusian Arethusa heads of Euainetos. The general consensus for this particular variety is that the portrait is of Demeter, the mother of Persephone.

The reverse of this depicts the hero “Ajax the Lesser”, commander of the Lokrians in the Trojan War. The shield Ajax carries is particularly remarkable for having its decoration on the inside: there are some sculptural parallels for this, but it is a very uncommon attribute on ancient Greek coins.

The Lokrian Ajax plays an essential role in Homer’s Iliad. He often fought side by side with his namesake, Ajax the Great, and led a strong contingent of 40 ships to Troy. He is described as small, nimble, and a great javelin thrower, and he was counted among the heroes of the Greeks. He was considered arrogant and conceited, however, and because of this he died by the hand of the gods.

Ajax the Lesser drags Cassandra from Temple of Athena at TROY. Detail from a Roman fresco in Pompeii.
Ajax the Lesser drags Cassandra from Temple of Athena at TROY. Detail from a Roman fresco in Pompeii.

After the capture of Troy, the king’s daughter Cassandra fled to the Temple of Athena to plead for protection. Ajax the Lesser found her and, violating one of the core principles of ancient religion, dragged her from the temple, toppling the statue in the process.

As punishment, during his return, Athena sent a major storm on the fleet of the Greeks, scattering the ships. Athena personally sank Ajax’s own ship with a thunderbolt, but he nevertheless survived by clinging to a rock. He boasted that he had braved the wrath of the gods, but Poseidon, upon hearing this blatant display of hubris, split the rock with his trident, causing Ajax to drown.

The rest of the Opuntians reached home with some difficulty but largely unscathed.

Despite his attitude, the Lokrians’ faith in their national hero was so great that whenever their army prepared for battle, one place was always left open for Ajax, whose spirit they believed would stand and fight with them. They also annually honored the memory of their former leader by launching a ship fitted with black sails and laden with gifts, which they then set alight.

* * *

Lokris, Lokri Opuntii. Silver Stater (12.0 g), ca. 350-340 BCE. Head of Demeter right, wearing wreath of grain ears, single-pendant earring and necklace. Reverse: Ajax advancing right, holding sword and shield; on inside of shield, palmette and griffin springing right; on ground below, broken spear. BCD Lokris-Phokis 457.4 (this coin); Nanteuil 885 (same obv. die). Lustrous and well struck in high relief. Well detailed, Superb Extremely Fine, and among the finest known. Ex BCD Collection (NAC, 8 October 2010), 457.4.


More articles on Ancient Coins

Russell A. Augustin
Russell A. Augustinhttps://www.aucm.com
Russell Augustin entered the numismatic profession in 1982. He specializes in U.S. gold, Pioneer and Fractional gold coinage, Early Type and Early Dollars and ancient Roman and Greek coinage. Russell attended both Ohio Wesleyan and Harvard Universities. Thereafter, he served as Vice President and Director of Numismatics at two national coin companies. He founded NumisTech Consulting, and has been an appraiser for the federal government, price consultant for a rare coin fund, and advisor to a major New England advertising agency. In 2005, Russ established AU Capital Management (AUCM), LLC, where he is currently owner and president. In 2016, AUCM became an affiliate of the numismatic powerhouse, RARCOA, and relocated its fulfillment center to Illinois.

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Park Avenue Numismatics Gold and Silver Bullion

Bullion Sharks Gold

NGCX Holders and Grading