Amathus, circa 325-323 BCE.
Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Club and bow in bowcase, ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ between; eagle flying to left below.
Price 3090a. 4.66g, 16mm, 3h.
Ex Roma
Amathos was one of the ancient kingdoms of Cyprus and, like the others, was extremely ancient. During those times it was famous for the second most important temple to Aphrodite and for a temple to Adonis.
Per mythology, the city was founded by one of the sons of Hercules, named Amathos. From a separate legend, Theseus brought Ariadne here after he had escaped from the labyrinth of Minos. There, she gave birth to a child and then died. A shrine was later built for her.
During ancient times, the people of Amathos were said to be Autochthonous, which means that they had always lived there (sprung from the ground). Archeological evidence points to habitation for at least 3500 years.
In roughly 1500 BCE, the city was founded by Phoenicians and remained true to their Phoenician roots, eventually becoming loyal to the Persian empire and siding with the Persians in all disputes against the other Cypriot kingdoms.
Amathos was strongly independent and resisted numerous invasions. It even resisted an attack by the Seleukids, though they were forced to give hostages.