[ΚΕΝΟ]



Zeus and Europa on Cretan coins

Ν1, Ν1949
Metal (Silver)
Use-wear on surfaces, cast from "tired" moulds
Diameters: 2 cm., 3 cm.
Unknown provenance, "Pombia"
Classical and Hellenistic period:
c. 450 BC and 320-300 BC:
Gallery:
XXI
Case:
212
Exhibition thematic unit:
Cretan Coinage
Gods, heroes and daemons on Cretan coinage
Description
The fairytale story of the abduction of Europa, the daughter of the Phoenician king, by Zeus in the form of a bull, who carried her off to Crete - specifically Gortys - provided the local mintage with the theological background for a range of images directly or indirectly referring to the legend: the beautiful maiden flying over the sea on the bull’s back, the sacred plane tree in which Europa meets the eagle of Zeus, and so on. From the very rare gold issue to the humble bronze coins, the same repertoire appears. It is seen more frequently, though not exclusively, in the earlier Gortynian issues (5th-1st c. BC), surviving down to coins struck in the name of the Cretan Koinon in Trajan’s reign (98-117 AD), during the period of Roman rule. Gortys. Stater (c. 450 BC). Obverse: Europa seated on the bull. Reverse: lion’s scalp facing in linear frame. Gortys. Stater (320-300 BC). Obverse: Pensive Europa, seated among the branches of a tree. Reverse: Zeus in the form of a bull. Barely visible inscription ΓΟΡΤΥΝΙΟΝ (Gortynion, “of the Gortynians”).
Bibliography:
J. Svoronos, Numismatique de la Crète ancienne, Mâcon 1890, p. 118, 3, pl. ΧΙΙΙ,22 and p. 164, 52, pl. ΧΙΙΙ,24. LeRider, Monnaies Crétoises du Ve au Ier siècle av. J-C, Paris 1966, pp. 194-5. M. Stefanakis - N. Konstantinidi, "Associating the Image with the Myth on ancient Cretan coins: Three case studies, Fortunatae 32 (2020.2), pp. 758-762. F. Carbone, Festòs I. La moneta. Produzione, seriazione e cronologia, Atene, 2022.
Author:
K. S.


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