circa 400-350 BCE
Hemiobol AR 7mm, 0,24g
Corinthian helmet right /
Tall, narrow amphora within wreath.
Apparently unpublished
Per mythology and Homer, Zakynthos was named after a son of King Dardanos of Arkadia, who founded the city. It was then conquered by Kefalonia and then by Odysseus himself from either Ithaka or Pale.
Zakynthos participated in the Peloponnesian War and signed an alliance with Athens, then was attacked and defended itself from Sparta. Zakynthos later joined Athens in the failed attack on Syracuse.
In ancient times, the island was an important source for tar.
Today, it is a major tourist attraction and we debated going there, but ultimately chose Kefalonia instead. Shipwreck Beach is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
We’re not entirely sure whether this coin belongs to Zakynthos or somewhere in Asia Minor. The attribution originally came from a coin sold by CNG with the letters Z-A to either side. However, the Corinthian helmet doesn’t fit well since the city was an ally of Athens, not Corinth or even the Peloponnese. It would fit better with some parts of Asia Minor. Until there is a find spot, we won’t know for sure.
2nd- 1st centuries BCE
Ae 13mm 3,09g
Obv: Head of Artemis right.
Rev: Z-A Quiver with strap, all within wreath.
BMC Peloponnesus, pg. 101, nos 80-82; HGC 6, 264
Sparta attacks Zakynthos with 1000 troops. They burn the countryside but fail to take the city.
The Athenian general Demosthenes takes aboard heavy infantry from Zakynthos and Kephallenia (likely including Same) and crosses over to the opposite coast of Akarnania to Alyzeia and Anaktorion, already held by Athens.
The Romans under Marcus Valerius Laevinus take Zakynthos except for the citadel.
Rome under Marcus Fulvius Nobilior conquers Zakynthos.