Nomos 21

CILICIA. Soloi-Pompeiopolis. Circa 3rd quarter of the 2nd Century, very likely during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Assarion (Bronze, 21 mm, 6.13 g, 1 h). XΡΥCΙΠ-ΠΟC Bare-headed and draped bust of the philosopher Chrysippos to right. Rev. [ΠΟ]ΜΠΗΙΟ-ΠΟ-ΛΕΙΤΩ- N Asklepios standing to left, holding kerykeion in his right hand; to right, serpent-entwined tree. Apparently unpublished. A coin of great importance with an extraordinary portrait of the city of Soloi's most famous citizen. Dusty grey-green patina. Somewhat porous surfaces, otherwise, very fine.

From the collection of a Swiss prelate.

The stoic philosopher Chrysippos (c. 280-208 BC) was born in Tarsos, but grew up in Soloi; moving to Athens while still a youth, he became a disciple of Cleanthes, the second leader of the Stoic school founded by Zeno. They were termed "Stoics" from their meeting place, the Stoa Poikile – the Painted Stoa – on the north side of the Agora in Athens. After the death of Cleanthes in c. 230, Chrysippos became the head of the school. This portrait shows him as a very well-groomed philosopher, rather similar in style to the portraits of Marcus Aurelius who, himself, was deeply influenced by stoic philosophy.