Ancient NEWSmismatics: "Getting the Upper Hand" Silver Stater of Siris, Macedon by L.A. Hambly

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The ancient Greeks in the “civilized” southern portion of the peninsula regarded the people of the northern hinterlands, Macedon and Thrace in particular, as a wild, unrestrained bunch incapable of rational thought, entirely ruled by their lust for drinking, warfare and, of course, their rampant sexuality. Dionysus, the Olympian god of wine and drinking, is said to have hailed from these northern parts and his sacred rites, later called “Bacchanalia” (after his Roman counterpart Bacchus), were famously ribald. As if to confirm

the Greek view of their nature, the early coins struck by Thraco-Macedonian cities and tribes often feature what appear to be ithyphallic (that is, sexually excited) satyrs chasing around, or carrying off, nubile young maidens usually called “nymphs.” On the silver staters of the island city of Thasos, circa 520-450 BC, the satyr is actually carrying the satyr, who raises her hand in a gesture usually interpreted as a protest. Satyrs, the often-drunk and always erect companions of Dionysus, are depicted as nude, muscular men with pointed ears and a tail; the nymphs usually wear a flowing, diaphanous dress called a chiton. It has been suggested that the Thasos coins actually depict a special dance that is part of Dionysic ritual (Dionysus was prominently worshipped in northern Greece and his portrait appears on later coins of Thasos). Silver staters struck at the mint recently identified as Siris in Macedon, including this rare variety, depict a somewhat different scene – the nymph is fleeing the satyr, who reaches out to grasp her arm. Our coin has an added feature not seen on other varieties: The nymph appears to grasp the

MACEDON. Siris ("Lete"). Ca. 525-480 BC. AR stater (19mm, 9.96 gm). Satyr, nude and ithyphallic, standing right, two pellets to left, grasping hand of nymph in diaphanous dress

fleeing right; three pellets before / Quadripartite incuse square divided diagonally. A rare intriguing piece which may actually portray a ritual "Dionysic dance

Ancient NEWSmismatics: "Getting the Upper Hand" Silver Stater of Siris, Macedon by L.A. Hambly

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Satyr’s erect male member and looks back into his face with an expression that seems to say “gotcha!” It would appear to be a rare instance of the “prey” getting the upper hand, so to speak, on her pursuer.