011b Seleucid Kingdom Antiochos I Soter Tetradrachm

Ruler: SELEUKID KINGS. Antiochos I. Soter, 281-261 BC

Denomination: Tetradrachm

Mint: Seleucia on Tigris mint,  issued 265-264 B.C.

Obverse: diademed head of Antiochos I to right, dotted border, 

Reverse:  ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding arrow in right hand and bow in left; to left, ΕΣ. 

Literature:  Newell ESM 159 SC 379.5

Weight: 17.05 g

Provenance:

Note: An omphalos is a religious stone artefact. In Ancient Greek, the word ὀμφᾰλός (omphalós) means "navel" (pol: pępek). Among the Ancient Greeks, it was a widespread belief that Delphi was the center of the world. According to the myths regarding the founding of the Delphic Oracle, Zeus, in his attempt to locate the center of the Earth, launched two eagles from the two ends of the world, and the eagles, starting simultaneously and flying at equal speed, crossed their paths above the area of Delphi, and so was the place where Zeus placed the stone

Since then, Delphi has been considered by Greeks to be the center of the world, the omphalos – "navel of the Earth."

The Omphalos stone itself was kept in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and was thought to allow direct communication with the gods.

Collezione : 17 Greek Tetradrachms and staters