OBVERSE
Draped bust of female (Aphrodite?) right, wearing tainia, hoop earring, and pearl necklace
REVERSE
Bearded head (Ares?) right, wearing crested Attic helmet, drapery around neck;
Inscription : 𐡕𐡓𐡊𐡌𐡅 (TRKMW in Aramaic) to right
0,6g; 9mm
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Tarkumuwa (Datames) was a general and satrap of Cilicia and Cappadocia under the Achaemenid regime. Datames received his post shortly after the death of his father, Camissares, who was previously satrap and fought and subsequently fell in the war of the Cadusii (an ancient Iranian tribe). Because of the good relationship between Datames’ father and the Persian king, Artaxerxes II, Datames could continue in his father’s role with relative fluidity.
Datames was entrusted by Artaxerxes II to recover Egypt for the Achaemenids, however at the same time some of his fellow satraps were conspiring to revolt against the Persian King. Under this pressure, Datames changed course completely and withdrew his troops, joining with the satraps in a revolt against the very king that instructed him on another strategy. Although Datames attained successive victories he was finally murdered by the son of another Satrap, Mithradates.
It appears that Datames was generally a well-respected military commander. He was said to be courageous and compared with Hamilcar and Hannibal.
Reference : Göktürk 25; SNG Levante 82; SNG France 278-281
Collection : The Aspida Collection of ancient coins