What does Scylla do in the hinterland of Lydia? On a homonoia coin of Philadelphia and Smyrna

Abstract

So far unknown a coin type from Lydian Philadelphia illustrates Scylla on its reverse and alludes to the city’s concord (Homonoia) with Smyrna. In the Greek east Scylla is rarely depicted on coins, never at all there is an operating figure, attacking aggressively two sailors as illustrated on the new coin in question. Thus as coin type Scylla is not just a decorative element, but we are confronted with a narrative scene from Homeric Odyssey. Typologically the motif is known from a sculpture in the Hadrianic villa near Tivoli. On the Philadelphian coin the scene seems to refer to Homer as representative for Smyrna.

Keywords

• roma eyalet sikkesi
• homonoia konusu
• sikke ikonografisi
• odysseia
• roman provincial coin
• homonoia issue
• coin iconography
• odyssey