Roman, probably minted in Ephesus
Cistophoric Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Mark Antony
INV-1427
Roman, probably minted in Ephesus39-38 BCE, issued by Mark Antony
Cistophoric Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Mark Antony
Roman, probably minted in Ephesus →roman (ancient, style or period)ancientcoinancient art
Date
39-38 BCE, issued by Mark Antony
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Diam.: 3 cm (1 3/16 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of William F. Dunham
The Roman general Mark Antony forged an alliance with Queen Cleopatra of Egypt in an attempt to capture Rome’s eastern territories. On this coin he had himself depicted wearing the ivy-leaf crown of Dionysos in order to reinforce his claim that he was “the new Dionysos” and therefore had divine right to rule. The Greek historian Plutarch (Antony, 24:3) described Antony’s entry into Ephesus in 41 CE as follows:
"When he entered Ephesus, women dressed like Bacchants, men and boys like satyrs and Pans, led the way. The city was full of ivy and thyrsos-wands and harps, pipes and flutes. People were calling him Dionysos Giver of Joy and the Benefactor."
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