Ancient Coin Stories

Let coins tell their stories…

Bird | Branch | Cornucopiae | Demeter | River God | Wreath
Sicily. Leontini
210-200 BCE
AE 22.28mm 9.80g
Obverse: Facing bust of Demeter wearing wreath of radiate leaves
Reverse: River god seated right, holding cornucopia in left arm, branch in right hand; bird right.
BMC 62

Leontini was the only Greek settlement not located on the coast. It was a crucial player in ancient times, being one of the main combatants that convinced Athens to intervene in their disastrous expedition on Sicily against Syracuse. After it was taken by the Romans in 214 BCE, its influence waned.

729 BCE

Leontini founded by settlers from Naxos

494 BCE

Leontini becomes subject to Gela

476 BCE

The inhabitants od Katane are forcibly expelled by Hiero I of Syracuse and repopulated from Leontini. The city is renamed to Aetna

427 BCE

Kamarina allies with Athens and Leontini against Syracuse

422 BCE

Syracuse supports the oligarchs of Leontini against the people

415 BCE

The Sicilian expedition of Athens against Syracuse departs, on the urging of Leontini and Segesta. Ainos, Argos, Mantineia, and Elis provide support. Akragas remains neutral.

214 BCE

Romans under Marcus Claudius Marcellus take Leontini