Æ Chalkous (15mm, 2.33g, 12h)
c. 325-300 BCE
In the name of the Malians. Helmeted head of Athena r. R/ Philoktetes standing r., shooting with bow at birds, one of which falls before him; quiver to lower r.
BCD Thessaly II 125; HGC 4, 106
Ex London Ancient Coins
Lamia in Thessaly gave its name to the Lamian War, in which several Greek states led by Athens revolted against Macedon after Alexander the Great died. With Antipater left regent in Macedon with relatively few soldiers, the Vegas bookmakers were all giving the Greeks great odds.
Round One went to the Greeks, who bottled Antipater up in Lamia. Things looked dire for the Macedonians. Supplies were running out and the Greeks turned off their cable. Their prospects raised significantly at the appearance of Leonnatos, who arrived for the hand of Kleopatra, sister of Alexander the Great. With her and a victory of the Greeks, he stood in decent position for inheriting the entire empire.
Sadly, the battle went poorly and Leonnatos’ horse got stuck in the mud, where he died. The Greeks then pushed things by punishing Antipater through playing The Hamster Dance on loud speakers, but the Greeks too held their ears and Antipater was able to escape.
Antipater then met up with new reinforcements led by Krateros, and at the Battle of Krannon the Macedonians were victorious.