Cyclades, Keos. Karthaia
Late 3rd-early 2nd century BCE
Æ 17mm, 3.68g, 8h
Laureate head of Aristaios right /
Forepart of Seirios left surrounded by rays
Papageorgiadou-Banis Series IX, 155–7; HGC 6, 562
Rescued from NGC encapsulation 4629560-004
Ex CNG 2002

Karthaia was one of the four ancient cities of Keos, and one of the three to mint coins. Today, the archeological site is still visitable after a hike of roughly an hour. Keos is the closest of the Cyclades islands to Athens.

700 BCE

The Lelantine War between Chalkis and Eretria results in a Chalkis victory and Eretria’s loss of Andros, Tenos, and Koressos, Ioulis, and Karthaia on Kea. Miletos joined the side of Eretria and Samos and Thessaly on the side of Chalkis.

42 BCE
November

Karthaia and Ioulis on Keos are gifted by Athens to Marc Antony.