CILICIA. Uncertain Persian satrap.
CILICIA. Uncertain Persian satrap.
AR Obol, c. 4th century BC, 0.76g (10mm, 12h).
Persian Great King l. stabbing winged lion r. / Forepart of lion
Pedigree: Ex Gert Cleff collection, Wuppertal; ex. Gorny & Mosch, München Auction 134, 2004, Lot 1492.
References: SNG Levante 215
Grade: Top portion of King's head is off flan. Otherwise fantastic detail and practically no wear. Reverse is slightly off center to the bottom right, but has practically no wear and excellent detail. EF+. (gk1672)
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The mighty Achaemenid Persian empire began c. 550 BC when Cyrus II, the Great, defeated the Median King, Astyages. Once firmly established, the Persians extended their empire by having Satraps, or governors representing Persia and the Great King, in territories all around. These city states enjoyed relative independence but were overseen by the Satraps put in place. The empire was mostly stable until the time of Alexander the Great (336-323 BC) when he slowly conquered the region.