Peloponnesus, Lakedaimon (Sparta)
Circa end 2nd century – c. late 90s/80s BCE
AR Hemidrachm 16mm, 2.20g., 9h)
Obv: Laureate head of bearded Zeus to right.
Rev: Amphora between – above pilei of the Dioscouri; L- A above; below right, monogram of ; all within laurel wreath.
LHS BCD 853; BMC 8. Grunauer VIII, 4 var.
Ex BCD collection (not in LHS sale)
Ex CNG
For a city that didn’t believe in coinage, Sparta actually has a fair number of types. Areus was the first we know of to have minted coins, but there’s only one example in private hands, so that really wasn’t an option.
Moving later, King Nabis has one extant tetradrachm in a museum, and several falsely attributed bronzes that were actually minted far later. Kleomenes III minted both silver and bronze coins that are available on the market, though both are rare. Originally I had planned to add one of the bronzes when one came to auction.
However, the more I thought about it, the more these hemidrachms are a better fit for me. These can be divided into two groups – those minted as part of the Achaian league and those either before or afterwards (we don’t really know). Of course I chose the type minted by Lakedaimon themselves.
To me, it’s the quintessential Lakedaimon coin, even though it was minted (like all of their coins) long after their heyday. Besides being in flashy silver with a nice tone, it has the caps of the Dioscuri (major heroes of Lakedaimon), a wreath, and an amphora that appears typical of Sparta, though I haven’t found any more information on it. This amphora features on several types in their coinage, though, so it must have been emblematic of the state. Speaking of that, the following definitions may help.
Lakonia – a geographical area in the south Peloponnese
Lakedaimon – the ancient kingdom that occupied all or most of Lakonia through its history
Sparta – the main city in Lakedaimon
I also would like to know more about the shape above the amphora, which the attribution states is a monogram, though it looks a lot like a tripod.
Argos defeats Sparta at the Battle of Hysiae.
Phigalia is occupied by Sparta
Polykrates pays off Sparta s besieging Samos with counterfeit coins.
The Battle of Thermopylae. Soldiers from Sparta Mantinea, Tegea, Orchomenos (Arkadia), Corinth, Phlious, Thespiai, Phokis, Opuntian Lokris, and other cities are overrun by the Persians at a huge cost.
August 7
August 27
The Sparta general Pausanias flees to Kolone.
Athens, aligned with Sparta sends a force of 4000 soldiers to help squash a helot uprising. Upon arriving in Sparta they are dismissed while other allies remain. Angered, Athens repudiates their treaty with Sparta
Athens, aligned with Sparta sends a force of 4000 soldiers to help squash a helot uprising. Upon arriving in Sparta they are dismissed while other allies remain. Angered, Athens repudiates their treaty with Sparta
Athens, aligned with Sparta sends a force of 4000 soldiers to help squash a helot uprising. Upon arriving in Sparta they are dismissed while other allies remain. Angered, Athens repudiates their treaty with Sparta
Tegea is defeated by Sparta
Thebes is reinstated by Sparta as the dominant power in Boeotia.
The Thirty Years’ Peace is signed between Athens and Sparta where they recognize each others rights to direct their own alliances.
Thebes destroys Plataea with the help of Sparta
Herakleia Trachineia founded by Sparta settlers.
The Battle of Sphacteria between Athens and Sparta is fought at the entrance to the Bay of Pylos, resulting in an Athenian victory. Ainos, Imbros, and the cities of Lemnos (Myrina, Hephaistia) provide support.
Athens defeats Sparta at the Battle of Pylos and traps 420 Sparta s.
Athens defeats Sparta at the Battle of Pylos and traps 420 Sparta s.
The Sparta general Brasidas captures Amphipolis and then Galepsos. He travels through Melitaia and camps at Phakion.
The Athenian general Kleon attempts to take Amphipolis, but fails in the attempt. Both Kleon and the Sparta general Brasidas perish.
The Peace of Nikias between Athens and Sparta is signed after the deaths of Cleon and Brasidas. They agree to break up the Chalkidian League, but this is not done.
Athens settles Sparta helot deserters and Messenians from Pylos at Kranion.
Athens transports the Sparta helots and Messenians previously moved to Kranion back to Pylos to annoy Sparta
Athens transports the Sparta helots and Messenians previously moved to Kranion back to Pylos to annoy Sparta
Under Darius I’s orders, Tissaphernes allies with Sparta over Athens and re-occupies most of the Ionian coast.
Chios, Kalchedon, Erythrai, and Klazomenai revolt against Athens and is besieged until relieved by Sparta
Iasos is governed by Amorges, a Persian who had achieved independence from Persia. Iasos is attacked by Sparta s, who deliver Amorges to Tissaphernes and plunder the city.
Kos is sacked by Sparta forces.
May
Athens under Alkibiades and Sparta under Lysander face off in the Battle of Notion. Sparta loses more ships, but Athens faces heavy losses when many are not rescued at sea. The resulting trial strips Alkibiades and the other Athenian generals of command.
Athens under Alkibiades and Sparta under Lysander face off in the Battle of Notion. Sparta loses more ships, but Athens faces heavy losses when many are not rescued at sea. The resulting trial strips Alkibiades and the other Athenian generals of command.
The Sparta Lysander takes Iasos, kills all men of fighting age, sells the women and children into slavery, and levels the city.
Thasos falls to Sparta under Lysander.
Sestos is occupied by the Sparta s under Lysander.
The Sparta general Lysander besieges Aphytis, then has a dream that Ammon stood by him in his sleep. He thus raises the siege and orders the inhabitants to pray to Ammon.
397 BCE
Deryklidas of Sparta supports the Ionian Greeks against the Persians. He besieges Atarneos for eight months until they accept his terms and takes Hamaxitos, Kolonai, and Ilion. This ends in an armistice with Pharnabazos.
Herippidas of Sparta puts to death all anti Sparta s at Herakleia Trachineia and expels foreigners.
Herippidas of Sparta puts to death all anti Sparta s at Herakleia Trachineia and expels foreigners.
Larissa Phrikonis is beseiged by the Sparta general Thibron, who accomplishes nothing.
During a battle between Deryklidas of Sparta and Pharnabazos with Tissaphernes, men from Priene and Achilleion fighting with the Sparta s fled. Hamaxitos and Larissa-Ptolemais thus receive their freedom again.
During a battle between Deryklidas of Sparta and Pharnabazos with Tissaphernes, men from Priene and Achilleion fighting with the Sparta s fled. Hamaxitos and Larissa-Ptolemais thus receive their freedom again.
King Agis of Sparta falls sick at Heraia. He is brought back to Lakedaimon, where he dies.
The Sparta s under Agesilaos II attack and Persia. Artaxerxes II retaliates by bribing Corinth, Thebes, and Athens to make war on Sparta
The Sparta s under Agesilaos II attack and Persia. Artaxerxes II retaliates by bribing Corinth, Thebes, and Athens to make war on Sparta
The Athamanians leave Sparta and join an Athenian alliance.
Thebes takes Herakleia Trachineia from Sparta and installs the Trachinians and Oetaians.
The Sparta admiral Peisander is defeated and killed by a fleet headed by Pharnabazos and former Athenian admiral Konon at the Battle of Knidos.
July
Sparta and their allies, including Sikyon and Tegea, defeat Athens and their allies at the Battle of Nemea. On Athens side are Thebes, Lokris Opuntii, and Corinth. With Sparta are Halieis, Sikyon, Epidauros, Troizen, and Hermione. Phlious remains neutral. Pellene fights on the side of Sparta against Thespiai.
July
Sparta and their allies, including Sikyon and Tegea, defeat Athens and their allies at the Battle of Nemea. On Athens side are Thebes, Lokris Opuntii, and Corinth. With Sparta are Halieis, Sikyon, Epidauros, Troizen, and Hermione. Phlious remains neutral. Pellene fights on the side of Sparta against Thespiai.
Amphipolis declares independence from Sparta control and operates as a self-governing city-state.
Stratos surrenders to King Agesilaos of Sparta
Mantineia is defeated by Sparta and the city is destroyed and split up.
Amyntas III appeals to the Sparta s against the Chalkidian League. Akanthos, Argilos, and Stageira also claim that membership was forced upon them. Potidaia is separated from the League.
Phlious accepts exiles from their city under threat from Sparta
Agesilaos of Sparta lays siege to Phlious.
The Chalkidian League become subject allies of Sparta
The Sparta s and Macedonians under Amyntas III destroy Olynthos after two initial defeats. Derdas II participates on the winning side.
Thebes expels the Sparta garrison at its citadel.
The Chalkidian League leave Sparta and join and alliance with Athens, but that soon falls out over ownership of Amphipolis.
Phigalia is split by factions loyal and hostile to Sparta The Sparta faction is expelled by the city, but return to occupy part of it.
Phigalia is split by factions loyal and hostile to Sparta The Sparta faction is expelled by the city, but return to occupy part of it.
Mnasippos of Sparta blockades Korkyra and subjugates them to starvation, then puts to death or sells to slavery all who flee.
Megalopolis is founded by the Arkadian League as a counterweight to Sparta
The helots of Messene revolt against Sparta
The Sparta s in Tegea are expelled and Tegea joins the Arkadian League.
The territory of Heraia is laid waste by Arcadian cities due to Heraia’s support for Sparta
The Arcadians take Pellene and slaughter all of the Sparta s residing there.
The Theban general Epaminondas intervenes in Arcadia to support the Arcadian League and the newly founded city of Megalopolis. Heraia is pressured to join the Arcadian League but maintains a pro Sparta stance.
Persia under Artaxerxes II provides funds to Sparta to continue the Sparta –Theban war. They probably also provide funds to Athens.
Persia under Artaxerxes II provides funds to Sparta to continue the Sparta –Theban war. They probably also provide funds to Athens.
Adramytteion abandoned with arrival of the Sparta king, Agesilaos II.
King Agis III of Sparta revolts from Macedonia and besieges Megalopolis, forcing Antipater to act.
326 BCE
April
Antipater defeats the Sparta s under Agis III at Megalopolis. The Macedonians take many casualties, but Agis is killed.
The Sparta mercenary Thibron gathers exiles from Kyrene in Cretea and takes the city. However, one of his officers defects to the other side and he is ousted. Euhesperides supports him.
Kleonymos of Sparta takes Korkyra, but doesn’t hold it for long.
A Sixth Sacred War is led by King Arios of Sparta in an effort to dislodge the Aetolian League from Delphi, but is defeated.
Athens is convinced by Chremonides to join Sparta in declaring war on Antigonos II.
Athens and Sparta make peace with Antigonos II, who maintains his hold on Greece.
The Sparta s under Akrotatos invade Megalopolis, but are defeated by Aristodamos the Good. Akrotatos is killed.
Orchomenos is taken by Kleomenes III of Sparta
The Sparta s under King Kleomenes III defeat the Achaian League under Aratos of Sikyon (and including Argos and Megalopolis) in the Battle of Dyme.
All of Tegea, except the Akropolis, is taken by the Sparta general Lykorgos.
Thourion is taken by Sparta us.