Circa 2nd-1st century BCE
AE 18mm 3.76g
Obv: diademed head of Artemis right, with bow and quiver over shoulder
Rev: ΣΙΠΥΛΟΥ / ΜΑΓΝΗΤΩΝ, Zeus and Hermes standing facing one another, holding sceptre between them.
SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen 241; BMC 6-7
Magnesia ad Sipylum may be the origin of the word “magnet”, or it may be Magnetes in Thessaly. This has been debated not only today, but also in ancient times. It has yet to be resolved, but I’m sure we’ll figure it out any day now.
The city became famous for the defeat of Antiochos III there in 190 BCE. Before that, it had existed for some time based on Hittite carvings in the area. In fact, it’s well-known for the Hittite carving that may be the one referred to by Pausanias as the Mother of the Gods.
During the time of Tiberius the city was destroyed by an earthquake.
Antiochos III is defeated by Scipio Asiaticus at the Battle of Magnesia. Through treaty, Ephesos comes under the Attalids. Alabanda comes under Roman control.
Magnesia ad Sipylum is heavily damaged by an earthquake.