Sicily. Himera
Date: 415-409 BCE
AE 16.21mm 3.52g
Obverse: Ǝ-WI, head of the nymph Himera left, six pellets before
Reverse: Six pellets within wreath
SNG ANS 186
Ex Ellery Johnson Collection
ex Tyche Numismatics Ancient & Medieval Coins
Himera was the first Greek settlement in its part of Sicily and grew to be a major power, enough that 300,000 Carthaginians landed there under Hamilcar with an intent to conquer Sicily. Against a confederation of Greek Sicilian cities, Carthage was defeated. The Battle of Himera was considered one of the greatest of Greek victories, on par with the Persian defeat at Salamis, and was widely celebrated.
However, in 409 BCE, Carthage was back, and this time succeeded in destroying the city. Himera never recovered, but the survivors constructed the new city of Thermai Himeraiai nearby.