Nomos 22

PHRYGIA. Synnada. Gallienus, 253-268. (Bronze, 32 mm, 14.90 g, 6 h), after 260. ΑΥΤ ΚAI Π ΛΙΚ ΓΑΛΛΙΗΝΟC / CΕΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gallienus to right. Rev. CYNNAΔEΩN A scene from an amphitheater depicting a venatio: across the center, a lion chasing a stag to left; below, a bestiarius attacking a boar with a spear; above, Orpheus prostrate after being mauled by a bear. BMC 66 = J. Nolle, "Kaiserliche Privilegien für Gladiatorenmunera und Tierhetzen: Unbekannte und ungedeutete Zeugnisse auf städtischen Münzen des griechischen Ostens", JNG 42/43, 1992/1993, p. 51, 2b = M. Price, "Paintings as a Source of Inspiration for Ancient Die Engravers", Studies Trell p. 70, fig. 1 = SNG von Aulock 3997 (same dies). E. S. G. Robinson, "Coins from Lycia and Pamphylia", JHS 34, 1914, p. 37, 24 (not illustrated). SNG Lewis 1560 (same dies). With an imaginative portrait of the emperor, a dark green patina and a most interesting scene on the reverse. Clear and well-centered. Good very fine.

Orpheus was a legendary prophet in Greek mythology, and he was often depicted in mosaics charming wild beasts with his lyre. In most versions of the myth, he was killed by maenads who could no longer endure his excessive mourning for his dead wife, Eurydice, after his failure to retrieve her from the underworld. However, as with many Greek myths, there is an alternate version of Orpheus' demise. In this little-known version, Orpheus is mauled and killed by a bear. The Oxford Classical Dictionary, (3rd ed., 1996), s.v. venationes cites gladiatorial re-enactments of Orpheus' death-by-bear that took place in the late 1st century: apparently convicted criminals were drafted in to play the part of Orpheus. Needless to say, there were no encores. It is likely that such an event is shown here.