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Obolos 16

11 October 2020
Webauction
overview
Starting Price: 50 CHF
Hammer Price:  75 CHF
Lot 985

TROAS. Alexandria Troas. Commodus, 177-192. Assarion (Bronze, 23.5 mm, 4.44 g, 7 h). IMP CAI M AVR COMMOD AVR Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Commodus to right. Rev. COL AVG TROAD statue of nude Marsyas standing on base to right, extending right arm and holding in left hand wine skin over left shoulder. Bellinger A230. RPC IV Online temp. 188. Greek patina; nicely centered. A few areas of porosity, otherwise, very fine.



Marsyas was a Phrygian satyr connected to the worship of Dionysos via his flute playing: he was one of the Tityroi, the double-flute playing satyrs in the train of the god. Legend said that it was Marsyas who invented flute playing. The story goes that Athena had crafted the very first flute, but discarded it because she did not like how it disfigured her cheeks when she blew into it. Marsyas found it and played it beautifully. He felt that he was so good that he challenged the god Apollo to a musical contest, the winner to determine the fate of the loser. Apollo won, of course, and after tying Marsyas to a tree he flayed him alive for his presumption of challenging him.

Online bidding closes: 11 Oct 2020, 22:12:30 CEST Current Date & Time: 23 Apr 2024, 23:25:56 CEST Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:75 CHF by grey (4 bids)
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