Greek Coin Tetradrachm

Inv. No.: c030
Provenance: Syria
Date: 175-164 B.C.
Weight: 15.44g
 
Obv.: Antiochus IV, diademed.

Rev.: Zeus Olympios seated, holding Nike and spear; monogram.

The reverse reflects Antiochus’ promotion of Hellenism in the East and particularly his belief in the civilising power of the worship of Zeus Olympios. In the Hellenistic age Zeus’ name was freely bestowed on the principal deity of any non-Greek people or religion, and Antiochus in turn presented himself as the earthly manifestation of Zeus. Cf. Aeschylus, Fragment 105: “Zeus is ether, Zeus is earth, Zeus is sky, Zeus is everything and more than that.”

The type recalls Pheidias’ chryselephantine colossus of Zeus enthroned, a reproduction of which was set up by Antiochus in the temple of Apollo at Daphne, near Antioch. Even the Temple in Jerusalem was given over to the worship of Zeus. The altar used for this purpose is described in Daniel 11.31 as “the abomination of desolation”, a Hebrew pun on its dedication to “the lord of heaven”.

Depending on the exact date of minting, the reverse could also be taken to commemorate Antiochus’ highly successful war against Egypt (171-168), which continued till Rome forced him to abandon the siege of Alexandria in 168.

Comparanda:
Cf. BMCG, Seleucid Kings of Syria, Antiochus IV, Epiphanes 16.