Coin Photography Studio
Greek Olympic Silver Stater
This high-grade original ancient Greek silver stater coin is one of the most famous and sought-after of ancient coins. It dates back about 2,300 years to the era of the original Greek Olympic Games, circa 370 to 330 BCE. The coin is from from Pamphylia, Aspendos, and features an Olympic scene of two wrestlers grappling. The reverse features a warrior with a sling, about to discharge his weapon. The city's name is to the left of the warrior and to the right is a triskelion (three legs radiating from a common centre.)
The original Olympic games are generally dated back to 776 BCE, and continued every four years through both Greek and Roman rule until 393 CE when they were suppressed by emperor Theodosius I as part of his campaign to impose Christianity as the state religion of the Roman empire. During the celebration of the games, an Olympic truce was enacted so that athletes could travel from their cities to the games in safety. The prizes for the victors were olive leaf wreaths or crowns.
The games became a political tool used by city-states to assert dominance over their rivals. Politicians would announce political alliances at the games, and in times of war, priests would offer sacrifices to the gods for victory. The games were also used to help spread Hellenistic culture throughout the Mediterranean. The Olympics also featured religious celebrations. The statue of Zeus at Olympia was counted as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Sculptors and poets would congregate each Olympiad to display their works of art to would-be patrons.
The ancient Olympics had fewer events than the modern games, and only freeborn Greek men were allowed to participate. As long as they met the entrance criteria, athletes from any Greek city-state and kingdom were allowed to participate. The games were always held at Olympia rather than moving between different locations, as is the practice with the modern Olympic Games. Victors at the Olympics were honoured and their feats chronicled for future generations.
Need numismatic photography for your auction catalogues, calendars, books, advertising or promotion? Check out prices and get a quote today at www.hipshotphotography.com
Greek Olympic Silver Stater
This high-grade original ancient Greek silver stater coin is one of the most famous and sought-after of ancient coins. It dates back about 2,300 years to the era of the original Greek Olympic Games, circa 370 to 330 BCE. The coin is from from Pamphylia, Aspendos, and features an Olympic scene of two wrestlers grappling. The reverse features a warrior with a sling, about to discharge his weapon. The city's name is to the left of the warrior and to the right is a triskelion (three legs radiating from a common centre.)
The original Olympic games are generally dated back to 776 BCE, and continued every four years through both Greek and Roman rule until 393 CE when they were suppressed by emperor Theodosius I as part of his campaign to impose Christianity as the state religion of the Roman empire. During the celebration of the games, an Olympic truce was enacted so that athletes could travel from their cities to the games in safety. The prizes for the victors were olive leaf wreaths or crowns.
The games became a political tool used by city-states to assert dominance over their rivals. Politicians would announce political alliances at the games, and in times of war, priests would offer sacrifices to the gods for victory. The games were also used to help spread Hellenistic culture throughout the Mediterranean. The Olympics also featured religious celebrations. The statue of Zeus at Olympia was counted as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Sculptors and poets would congregate each Olympiad to display their works of art to would-be patrons.
The ancient Olympics had fewer events than the modern games, and only freeborn Greek men were allowed to participate. As long as they met the entrance criteria, athletes from any Greek city-state and kingdom were allowed to participate. The games were always held at Olympia rather than moving between different locations, as is the practice with the modern Olympic Games. Victors at the Olympics were honoured and their feats chronicled for future generations.
Need numismatic photography for your auction catalogues, calendars, books, advertising or promotion? Check out prices and get a quote today at www.hipshotphotography.com