in modern Iran and surrounding regions, after the Greek influence that far east had diminished greatly. Perhaps more significant is a series of billon tetradrachms struck by the rulers of the Parthian kingdom, which was established in the third century B.C. The identity of this ruler is not certainly known, though two men named Andragoras are thought to have ruled Parthia (in north-eastern Iran) in the late fourth and mid-third centuries B.C. Perhaps the earliest example of this is a small issue of tetradrachms struck for a ruler named Andragoras, which shows on its obverse the turreted head of Tyche. Hers not only holds the position of honor but is adorned with the divine features of Tyche since she wears a polos and has a cornucopia at her shoulder.Ī variety of coins show how far beyond the traditional borders of the Greco-Roman world the worship of Tyche had spread in ancient times. The portraits of these two rulers are shown jugate. to commemorate the marriage of Cleopatra Thea, eldest daughter of the Egyptian King Ptolemy VI, to the Seleucid King Alexander I Balas, Cleopatra Thea is likened to Tyche. On silver tetradrachms struck in 150 B.C. A bold portrait of the goddess also occurs on tetradrachms of Laodicea-ad-Mare that on the obverse bear the portrait of the Roman Emperor Nero (A.D. Similarly bold portraits occur on tetradrachms of Aegeae in Cilicia, Laodicea-ad-Mare and Seleucia in Syria, and at Aradus and Sidon in Phoenicia in all of these cases Tyche also wears a veil, which hangs from the bun of hair at the back of her head. In this case the wall and its turrets form an imposing “mural” crown that rests upon Tyche’s head. Some of the most artistic renderings occur on tetradrachms struck in the mid-second century B.C. Her portrait appears on the obverse of a number of Greek silver coins, including the largest regular denomination, the tetradrachm. The cornucopia represented the abundance, fertility, and happiness that people hoped to derive from their worship of this goddess. The rudder symbolized her ability to guide the affairs of the earthly world, a concept reinforced when her rudder rests upon a globe. Tyche normally is shown cradling a cornucopia in her left arm and placing her right hand on the arm of a rudder that rests at her feet. She wears upon her head a mural crown, which is shown in the form of city walls with defensive towers, or as a cylindrical crown (a polos or a modius) that perhaps was adopted from the goddess Cybele, the mother-goddess who sometimes also assumed the role of city patron. One divinity that was affected positively by the passage of time was Tyche, the goddess of chance, fortune, providence and fate who, after the conquests of the Macedonian King Alexander III “the Great” (336 to 323 B.C.), became more closely associated with the fates of cities.Īs the protectress of cities, Tyche also symbolized their prosperity. Some gradually lost their importance, whereas others became more relevant with the continuing evolution of Greek culture. The popularity of Greek gods rose and fell with the passage of time.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |