Coinage and War
In the ancient Greek world war was common. Money was often a motivating factor for
military expeditions. Coins were needed to pay soldiers, and soldiers in turn would
seize foreign treasures from which money was struck again. In some cases, the coins
themselves chronicle the military successes and failures of the issuing authority.
Although often made in times of crisis, some of these coins represent pieces of
great art.
Persian gold daric
(c. 5th century BC), showing the armed Persian king. Darics were some
of the most popular coins used for hiring mercenary soldiers.
Egyptian gold daric (c.
359-343 BC) showing a hieroglyphic sign of a heart, lungs and windpipe. This rare
issue was made to pay foreign Greek mercenaries to fight against the Persians.
Gold stater (c. 296-294
BC) of Athens. As a last resort in a crisis, citizens could go to their temples to
find metal for coins. This coin was made from gold stripped from the famous statue
of Athena in the Parthenon to pay for the defense of the city against a Macedonian army.
Siculo-Punic silver
stater (270-260 BC) depicting Pegasus, struck by a Carthaginian
military mint operating in Sicily.
Sicilian silver
dekadrachmon (405-401 BC) of Syracuse with the nymph Arethusa, made
from silver captured from the city's enemies in North Africa and Sicily.