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Document Details : Title: Bronze Coins of Tyre Subtitle: Antiochus III and the Seleucid Fleet Author(s): MÖHRING, Pim Journal: Pharos Volume: 25 Date: 2021-2023 Pages: 75-110 DOI: 10.2143/PHA.25.0.3293419 Abstract : This paper addresses the unusual first occurrence of war galleys on Seleucid bronze coins. Under Antiochus III (r. 223-187) three types, depicting stern, plain prow and decorated prow of galleys, were minted at Tyre from 199/8 to 189/8 BCE. They are remarkable because they differ from common Seleucid iconography and because little is known about Seleucid naval activity in the 3rd century BCE. Multiple interpretations for the types have been proposed: prows and stern indicate the naval prowess of Tyre for the Seleucid fleet; commemorate a Seleucid naval victory; or form markers of local, civic and maritime identity. This paper approaches the problem in two ways. Firstly, by examining the iconographical meaning of prows and sterns of contemporary Hellenistic entities. Secondly, by addressing the historical context of the Seleucid fleet and its connection to the naval types. Next, it argues that the timespan in which Antiochus’ naval types are issued appears inherently connected to the activity of the fleet, suggesting a correlation between the two developments. The bronze types can be seen as indicative hallmarks of this development, but only in a local context. This is in agreement with the general practice where coin issuers, Hellenistic kings and cities, deploy bronze coinage and its iconography for a specific local audience. Precious metal coinage on the other hand was used by kings and cities used to convey messages to widespread audiences and territories. Hellenistic kings commonly expressed celebrations of naval accomplishments through precious metal, but despite deploying unprecedented Seleucid naval power, it appears Antiochus III was not among them. |
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