On the reverse of this silver tetradrachm dated to the time of the Bithynian King Nikomedes I (280-250 BC), a warrior female goddess, perhaps Bendis, is depicted seated on boulder. She wears a short chitoniskos tied in her waist that leaves uncovered the right arm. She holds two spears in her right hand (that is why she is also called Bendis “Dilonchos”, δύο λόγχες, two lonches/lances) and a sword in its scabbard with her left. In front of the boulder, where she sits, there is a round shield richly decorated, and behind it a dead tree branch. There are also the inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ (by the King Nikomedes), the monogram ΙΔ and a winged Nike to the left. On the obverse, there is the portrait of King Nikomedes.
Caption Silver tetradrachm of Nikomedes I, king of Bithynia, with Bendis Dilonchos seated on boulder
Mythic people Bendis (Goddess)
Type Coin
Artist/Creator mint of Bithynia, king Nikomedes I
Current position Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wien
Index number GR 15918
Dating 278-255 BC
Notes
Kunsthistorisches Museum: Bithynien: Nikomedes I. (khm.at)
Παρόμοιο ΑΡ τετράδραχμο με Βενδίδα Δίλογχο βλ.
CNG: KINGS of BITHYNIA. Nikomedes I, c. 280-250 BC. Tetradrachm
Βιβλιογραφία:
Deoudi M. 2015. Bendis in Kleinasien. Στο Figurines de terre cuite en Méditerranée grecque et romaine. Vol. 2. Iconographie et contextes. 49-59.
Deoudi M. 2007. Bendis - Kulturell geprägtes Gesicht einer Thrakischen Göttin. Στα Πρακτικά του 10ου Διεθνούς Συνεδρίου Θρακολογίας, Κομοτηνή-Αλεξανδρούπολη 18-23 Οκτωβρίου 2005. 120-129.
Deoudi M. 2009. Bendis' neue Heimat in der Fremde. Ancient West & East 8. 223-233.
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