circa 430-390 BCE
Æ 12mm, 1,85g
Youthful head of Zeus Ammon right /
Eagle standing right; uncertain object (or T with die break?) to right.
SNG ANS 214 var.; AMNG III/2, 10 var.
One interesting aspect of this coin is that the obverse depicts an amalgamation of Zeus and Ammon. Ammon, of course, was an Egyptian god. However, it was common practice during ancient times for Egyptian deities to be worshipped outside of Egypt.
Pausanias mentioned that, when Aphytis was being besieged by the Spartan general Lysander, Ammon Zeus came to him in a dream and urged him to lift the siege. He did, and at least from that time a temple was raised to Ammon Zeus at Aphytis and he was worshipped there. It’s also possible that the temple predated Lysander’s arrival.
The city later became a member of the Chalkidian League.
The Athenian general Phormio makes his base at Aphytis and leads his army against Pallene. He also takes Argos Amphilochian, removes the Ambrakians, and restores the town to the original inhabitants.
The Spartan 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.
The Spartan king Agesipolis I, while undergoing operations against Olynthos, comes down with a fever and dies at the sanctuary to Dionysos at Aphytis.