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Ruler: ANCIENT GREECE. CILICIA, TARSOS. Mazaios (Satrap of Cilicia).
Denomination: Silver Stater, circa 361-334 BC.
Obverse: Baaltars seated left, head facing, holding eagle, ear of corn and bunch of grapes in right hand and lotus-headed sceptre in left; Aramaic legend 'BLTRZ' (= Baaltars), to right, Aramaic letters on left and below seat.
Reverse: lion attacking a bull left; Aramaic legend 'MZDI' (= Mazaios) above; monogram below.
Reference: SNG CH 106 Casabonne , Tf. VIII, 5 var.
Weight: 11,10 g
Provenance: ex collection Dr. M. Sch = ex Auktion Peus Nachf. 368, 2001, 244.
Note: Virtually as struck with amazing details and full mint luster!
Mazaios was a prominent Persian satrap who governed the region of Cilicia during the late Achaemenid Empire. A skilled administrator and military leader, Mazaios played a crucial role in the empire's defence against Alexander the Great. He initially commanded Persian forces in the Battle of Issus in 333 BC, where he sought to repel Alexander's advancing army. Despite the Persians' defeat, Mazaios' loyalty to the Achaemenid cause was unwavering. However, after the pivotal Battle of Gaugamela in 331, where the Persian forces suffered a decisive loss, Mazaios saw the inevitability of Alexander's victory and wisely chose to surrender Babylon to him without resistance. This act of diplomacy secured Mazaios a continued role under Alexander, who appointed him as the governor of Babylon, recognising his administrative talents and his ability to maintain order in the region.
According to Peter Thonemann (The Hellenistic World Using coins as Sources, p. 13) Alexander's the Great famous tetradrachms with the image of seated Zeus holding eagle on the reverse were modelled after these contemporary Persian-type staters. "Alexander seems to have carefully chosen an image which would carry different connotations for two different audiences: continuity with Persian rule for his new subjects in Cilica and Phoenicia and traditional Hellenic piety for his own Macedonian army. Alexander brilliantly juggled his two personae as Graeco-Macedonian conqueror and as a legitimate succesor to the Achaemenid kingship of Asia".
Collection : 17 Greek Tetradrachms and staters