Trm BoNceno-Lnvnr INTBRNATToNAL INsrmurp oF THE
CrRssrcar'Wonro
SCKI PTA
ANilqpA Ancient History Philology, Arts and Material Culture
TheAlmanac Volume
Four
Sobranie
Moscow 2015
E.Pavlovska
Goro Srarpns Conr Hoano FROM SrOprp RpcroN
A
small coin hoard of gold staters is kept in the Numismatic Collection of the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia, which according to the information provided by the previous owner, was found in the Nerezi Village near Skopje; however, the context of its discovery remains sadly unknown. This hoard includes six, well preserved staters of the last three kings of the Macedonian Argead dynasty - Philip II of Macedon (359-336 BC), Alexander III the Great (336-323 BC) and Philip IIIAnhidaeus (323-317 BC). Philip II is only represented with one of his staters, produced in the Pella mint, in the period between ca.32312 and ca. 315 BC (Fig. 1). His son, Alexander the Great, is represented with three staters, which were struck in three separte mints and characterized by different chronology, as well. Hence, two of the specimens originate from Asia Minor mints, that is to say, the flrst one which was issued in the years before, and early after the death of Alexander (ca. 325 ca.320 BC) is from Side(?) in Pamphylia (Fig. 2; see color plates), while the other one is from Abydus(?) in Troas (Fig. 3; see color plates) and is an early posthumous, issued between 323 and 317 BC. His last specimen (Fig. a; see color plates) is an early posthumous one, as well (3141313 BC) and is from Sidon in Phoenicia. Both of Philip III's specimens were also struck in different mints; that is, the first one (Fig. 5; see color plates) in Sardes,Lydia, in the period from ca.323 to ca. 319 BC, while the other one (Fig. 6) in Babylon, Babylonia, in the period between ca.323 and ca. 317 BC. It becomes evident that, the early posthumous staters in the name and of the type of Alexander, are predominant. Actually, all coins in the hoard were struck during the rule ofArrhidaeus, including his own specimens, as well. However, Alexander's stater no. 4 makes an exception; it is from the time of Cassander (317197 BC) - 3141313 BC. This year marks the date of the last coin in the hoard, as well. Regarding the mints that produced the coins, the ones of eastern provenance prevail, excluding Philip II's coin, which is from the royal Macedonian mint at Pella. Judging upon the level of their preservation, which is indeed high, it
-
308
AHrucHa,
Fig.
1.
HyMIBMaTI,IKa
Gold stater. Plilip II. Pe1la. ca.32312 and ca. 315 BC
seems that these royal Macedonian staters were not circulating very long time; they were deposited into a hoard which might have contained even more specimens. However, it should be kept in mind that, unfortunately,
ofits discovery are not known, except the information that the hoard originates from the Nerezi Village. Hence, one could possibly assume that it might have be a grave find. Namely, on the north side of the foot of the Vodno Mountain, above the Sredno Nerezi Village, the archeological site Gradishte is located, where a fortified settlement existed during the early antiquity. Its necropolis was located on the eastem slope, that is to say, covering a part ofthe modern settlement of Zhdanecr. One of the graves excavated there in 19712 wcovered a gold stater of Philip Arrhidaeus3. Two decades later, there was a chance find of a ritual burial in a tomb dating back to the end of the 5m the context and the precise location
lMikuliii 1.1999:123. 2
Sokolovska, Pa5i6 1975:
3Mikuldi6 1.1999:123.
231144.
E.Pavlovska. Gold Staters Coin Hoard fiom Skopje
Region
309
or the beginning of the 4ft centuries BC. It is considered that an unknown Paeonian dynast and his companions were buried herea. The coin hoards containing gold issues ofthe Argeads are not frequent
discoveries in the Republic of Macedonia; however, the Nerezi hoard is not exclusively unique find of this kind originating from its territory. Namely, during the field survey and rescue excavations in 2008, a small early antique gold jewelry treasure was discovered at the archaeological site Ormankov grob, at the Tremnik Village near Negotino. Besides four Asia Minor fype of fibulae, a small two-segment capsule, massive reliefplaque depicting Poseidon and parts ofa necklace, it also contained two staters of the Macedonian kings Philip II and Alexander the Great, respectively. The researchers consider that this hoard was part of a rich early antique tomb, which probably was robbed during the Roman pe-
riod and then deposited near the heroon located on the early Roman necropolis near Tremnik Village; it is also suggested that it belonged to a local Paeonian nobleman, probably to some of the distinguished officers from Alexander's Eastem campaign5. Philip's stater is posthumous and belongs to the same period as the one from the Nerezi hoard (32312315 BC), but, it was struck in the Amphipolis mint6. Alexander's stater is an issue of the Aradus mint in Phoenicia, of the period between ca. 328 andca.320BC1. There are data indicating that in l9l7 in the Topolchani Village, near Prilep, a coin hoard of ca. 200 gold staters and distaters of Alexander the Great, deposited into a pot after 323 BC was discovered (IGCH 399). The so-called "Paeonian Hoard" of 1968, which was sold separately at two auctions lateq should be mentioned as well (IGCH 410). In the catalogues it was stated that it had originated from the northem part of the Republic of Macedonia (Paeonian Hoard, Parke-Bernet; Paeonian Hoard, Sotheby), although there is a great possibility that this one together with the Rezhanci hoard from the Pemik district, might have represented one and the same treasure8. The 'Paeonian Hoard' is of mixed character, consisting of both gold and silver. All of the ca. 68 gold issues belonged to the Macedonian kings Philip II (23 lifetime and posthumous staten) and Alexander Itr (3 lifetime distaters and 34 lifetime and posthumous staters). Regarding the silver ones, ca.l900 tetradrachms belonged to the Paeonian kings Lycceius (13) and Patraus (ca.1700-1800, 34 imitations). The deposition date of this hoard is 315-310 BC.
5 6
Angelovski 2009 : 213-220. Le Rider 1977 : Pl. 82. Ns 253-256.
TPrice 1991. Ns 3315. 8Paunov 2005:555-562.
-oMikrldidc.tggo:183-199.
310
AgruqHar
ii lrji1i;i:
rl.r
HyMfl3NIarnKa
li
'rrr,iil
Fig. 6. Gold stater. Philip
III. Babylon. ca.323
and ca. 317 BC
E.Pavlovska. Gold Staters Coin Hoard from Skopje
Region
3I
I
Hoards of similar composition, that is those containing gold issues in the name and of the type of Alexander the Great, and of his father and half brother as well, are being discovered all over the Balkan Peninsula.
Alexander's coin circulation from the hoard evidence on the Balkans, was discussed by Y.Touratsogloue; tracing the geographical distribution of the gold, both homogeneous (of gold only) and mixed hoards (of gold and silver) were considered. Their presence has been mainly recorded on the territory ofThrace, i.e. in the central and eastem part ofBulgaria, on the geographic territory of Macedonia (Republic of Macedonia and Northern Greece) and in the areas of mainland Greece (Peloponnese, Thessaly, Attica, Arcanania). Hence, their concealment covers the period between 340 and 275 BC. These hoards, besides the Macedonian ones, incorporate the Asia Minor and the Eastern mints, as wellro. The coinage ofAlexander the Great was undoubtedly one of the richest and the most popular imperial coinages in the history. However, ascending the Macedonian throne, Alexander faced the existing financial problems immediately. Namely, prior his death, Philip II had already begun the preparations for the Persian campaign, whose successful outcome required both an army and large amounts of cash. At that moment, the Macedonian royal treasury contained only 60 talents in silver, as well as an inherited debt from his father ofca. 500 talents. In order to fulfill the plans, Alexander had to borrow additional 800 talents, increasing his debts to 1300 talents. Before the beginning of his Eastern campaign, he managed to settle the relations with the Balkan neighbors, defeating the Thracians, the Triballi, the Getae and the Illyrians. The financial gains from this Balkan expedition allowed him to decrease the debt and by the spring of 334 BC it amounted only 200 talents; moreover, the treasury contained 70 talents, which could maintain his army for only thirty days. However, after the capture of Sardes and the rich Persian treasury in the summer of 334 BC, each consecutive victory later, provided him new influx ofwealthrl. Hence, between 334 and 330 BC, the period from the beginning of the campaign to the conquest of the Persian Empire, Alexander's treasury amounted 180 000 talents, i.e. 4680 tons ofsilver or 468 tons ofgoldt2. The course of the expedition itself imposed the need of large amounts of money, that were produced in both gold and silver, not only during his lifetime, but after that, also, by his successors, up to the beginning of the I't century BC, when they got character of a civic coinager3. Besides
Tr*rt*gtou 1998: 71-101. 'roTouratsoglou 1998:. 74.
ttPrice 1991:25--27.
12 Touratsoglou 1998: 7 4. t3Price 1991:79.
312
Aurr.mar ryuu:uar:ura
the mints in Macedoni4 the ones opened in the conquered territories in Asia and Egypt functioned, too, their total number being 26 mints during Alexander's lifetimeta. They met the enormous needs for money, required for financing the numerous army whose main body was composed of Macedonians, even though he also hired mercenaries from the neighboring peoples (Thracians, Illyrians, Paeonians, Agrianes, Triballi, Odrisae, Getae, Hellenes). They were usually paid after being discharged; but besides the salaries, they also received additional premiums in cash. Likewise, they were allowed to take some of the objects seized as booty - vessels or jewelry acquired during the captures and pillage of the enemy cities. The return ofthese veterans and mercenaries into their native regions took place between 330 and 275/250 BC, a period of great influx ofwealth in the Balkansrs. In this particular timeframe, actually, the deposition of the Balkan coin hoards containing gold staters of Alexander III, Philip II and ofArrhidaeus, was concentrated; they were very often complemented with jewelry or vessels made of precious metals (gold/silver). The Nerezi coin hoard fits perfectly well into this image, too. The Skopje region, which was inhabited by theAgrianes, atthe period of its burial 3l4l3l3 BC was part of the Paeonian Kingdom, withAudoleon (315-255/4 BC) on its throner6. In the ancient sources the Agrianes were recorded as
-
Macedonian allies, both during the reigns of Philip tr, and later of Alexander III, being part of his army in the Eastern campaign (Arr. L 5,6, 141' lI. 7, 9; lII. 12, 13;, Diod. XYIJ. 17 .4; Curt. Ruf. rv. 13). Undoubtedly, this small treasure belonged to one of these soldiers, but, due to the lack of information, the context of its discovery the exact location and the complete content of the hoard will remain unknown.
CATALOGUE
Philip
II of Macedon (359-336 BC)
Obv.Laveate head ofApollo, r. Rey. Charioteer driving galloping biga right, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left.
l.
Rev.
[OIIAIIIfIOY (in the exergue); Boeotian shield below;
snake
above. taPrice 1991:72. r5Touratsoglou 1998: 75. r6Sokolovska 1990: 9-34; Mikuldi4 Sokolovska 1990: 90; Petova 1999:6513.
E.Pavlovska. Gold Staters Coin Hoard from Skopje
Region
3
I3
Pell4 ca.323/2 - ca.3l5 BC. AV; 8.56 g; 19.0 mm; 3oo. Le Rider 1977. Pl.'12, nos. 600402. Inv. No.: NBRM
2004/lll.
Alexander the Great (336-323 BC) Obv.Head of Athena r., wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated
with coiled snake. Rev. Nike standing to 1., holding wreath in r. hand and stylis in l. 2. Rev. BA->IAEO> /AAEEAN P[OY]; below wing to l. OI, A>. Side (?), ca. 325 - ca. 320 BC.
AV;8,53 g;17,0mm;2N. Price 1991. No. 2959.
Inv. No.: NBRM 20041114. 3. Rev. AAEEANAPOY; in field to l. monogram MH and pentagram; below wing to l. snake. Abydus (?),323117 BC
AV; 8,56 g; 19,0 mm;3m. Price 1991. No. 1523. Inv. No.: NBRM 2004/112. 4. Obv. Corinthian helmet decorated with griffin (?) Rev. AAEEANAP[OY]; in field to l. Y.
Sidon,3l4l313 BC AV;8,61 g;17,5 mm; 1100. Price 1991. No. 3507. Inv. No.: NBRM 2004/l/3. Philip III Arrhidaeus (323-317 BC) Obv.Head of Athena r., wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with coiled snake. Rev. Nike standing to 1., holding wreath in r. hand and stylis in 1. 5. Rev. OIAIIilO[YI; in Sardes, ca. 323 - ca. 319
field to l. TI; below wing to L star.
BC.
AV;8,49 g;17,0 mm; l2m. Price 1991. No. P85. Inv. No.: NBRM 20041115.
314
AnrFrH a, rrylflBMarr,rKa
/ IOI]AIruOY; below wing to 1. AY. Babylon, ca.323 - ca.3l7 BC. 6. Rev. B-A>IAEQ>
AV; 8,52 g; 19,0 mm; 1100. Price 1991. No. P178. Inv. No.: NBRM 200411/6.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Angelovski 2009 - Angelovski K. Ostava so zlaten nakit od Tremnik, Makedonsko nasledstvo 34-35 ll Gold Treasure from Tremnik, Macedonian Heritage. 2009 . 3415 . P. 2t3120. Le Rider 1977 - Le Rider G. Le monayage d'argent et d'or de Philippe II: Frappd en Mac6doine de 359 d294.P.,1977. Mikuldid G. 1999 - Mikuliit G. Zhdanec, Skopje 1990, ranoantichko pogrebuvanje (Zhdanec, Skopje l990,Ear1y ancientburial) llMaceoniaeActaArchaeologica. 1999. 12:1990-1991. P. 183-199. MikuldidI.1999 - Mikuliit L Antichki gradovi vo Makedonija:Antike Stiidte in der Republik Makedonien. Skopje, 1999. Mikuldi6, Sokolovska 1990 - Mikuliit L, Sokolovska V. Grobnica vo Brazda kaj Skopje (Eine Herrschersgruft in Brasda bei Skopje) ll Macedoniae Acta Archaeologica. 1990. 1 1 : 1987-1989. P. 79-92. Paeonian Hoard, Parke-Bernet -The Extremely Important Greek Hoard, being Coins in Gold and Silver of Northern Macedonia. Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc. New York 9 December 1969. Paeonian Hoard, Sotheby - Catalogue of the Extremely Important Paeonian Hoard, being Coins in Gold and Silver of the Kings of Macedon and Silver of the Independent Kingdom of Paeonia. Sotheby & Co., London 16 April 1969. Paunov 2005 - Paunov E. Zlatni stateri ot monetnoto sdkrovi5de ot s: ReZanci, Pemi5ko (IGCH 411) : Gold Staters from the Rejantsi Coin Hoard (IGCH 441), Pernik District, Western Bulgaria // Stephanos Archaeologicos: in Honorem Professoris Ludmili Getov. Sofia, 2005.P.555-562 (StudiaArchaeologicaUniversitatis Serdicensis; Suppl. IV). Petrova 1999 - Petrova E Pajonija vo II i I milenium pr. n.e. Skopje, 1999. Price 1991 - Price M.J. The Coinage in the Name ofAlexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus . Zijrich; London, 1991. Sokolovska 1990 - Sokolovska V Pajonskoto pleme Agrijani i vrskite so Damastion: La tribu pdonienne d'Agriens et leurs rapports avec Damastion ll Maceoniae ActaArchaeologica. 1990. 11: 1987-1989. P. 9-34. Sokolovska, PaSi6 1975 - Sokolovska V., Paii6 R. Eden grob od Zhdxrcc:Un tombeau de Zhdanec ll Zbornik naArheoloshkiot muzej na Makedonija(1967197 4). 197 5. VI-V[. Skopje, 197 5. P. 231244. Touratsoglou 1998 - Tburatsoglou Y. Back to the Future. Alexander the Great's Silver and Gold in the Balkans: The Hoard Evidence // Coins of Macedonia and Rome: Essays in Honour of Charles Hersh /A.Burnett, U.Wartenberg, R.Witschonke (eds.). L., 1998. P. 71-101.