Item number: A167

Year: 359-336 BC

Material: Gold

Size: 18.0 x 17.6 mm

Weight: 8.61 g

Provenance: Heritage Auctions 2023

This specimen is a gold stater issued during the late reign or posthumous period of King Philip II of Macedon, serving as the standard circulating currency of the Macedonian Kingdom.

The obverse of this coin features a right-facing portrait of the war god Apollo, adorned with a laurel wreath. The reverse depicts a chariot known as a Biga, pulled by two horses, with a Kantharos cup underneath. Below is the Greek inscription “ΦIΛIΠΠΟΥ,” indicating the ruler’s name “Philip”.

The Kantharos, prevalent during ancient Greek and Roman periods, is a type of drinking vessel characterized by its tall, curved shape, twin handles, and wide bowl, typically crafted from ceramic or metal, often embellished with decorative patterns or reliefs. Widely popular in ancient Greek and Roman societies, the Kantharos was frequently employed in religious rituals and banquets, particularly in ceremonies associated with the deity Dionysus, showcasing its significance as a pivotal expression of ancient culture and artistry.

The term “ΦIΛIΠΠΟΥ” transliterates the Greek name “PILIPPOU” (Philippos), which corresponds in its original form to “Philip” in English. This name originates from the Greek words “φίλος” (philos, meaning “friend”) and “ἵππος” (hippos, meaning “horse”). Therefore, the name “Philip” in English can be understood as “lover of horses” or “friend of horses.”

The term “Biga” (Latin) refers to a type of dual-wheeled chariot extensively utilized in both ancient Roman and Greek societies, typically drawn by two horses. Its applications encompassed transportation, competitive events, military engagements, and religious rituals. Nevertheless, over time, the emergence of alternative tactics such as infantry and cavalry gradually supplanted the military significance of chariots. By the late period of the Roman Empire, chariots had gradually faded from the military arena, becoming obsolete equipment in history.

However, chariot racing, as a popular cultural phenomenon, has successfully endured. This competition has remained widely embraced, even continuing to be held in Constantinople during the Byzantine period. It was even included as an event in the ancient Olympic Games. To this day, chariot racing events persist in various regions, perpetuating the allure of this ancient tradition.

The Kingdom of Macedonia was a significant political entity in ancient Greece, situated in the northern Balkan Peninsula. It played a crucial role in ancient history, particularly during the 4th to 3rd centuries BC. King Philip II of Macedonia and his son Alexander the Great were the most renowned rulers of the kingdom, known for expanding Macedonian territory and establishing a formidable empire.

The Kingdom of Macedonia gained renown for its advanced military tactics, such as the Macedonian phalanx, which served as the foundation for later Greek and Roman empires. Under the reign of Alexander the Great, the Macedonian Empire reached its zenith, extending its dominion across Asia and Africa. However, as history unfolded, internal strife plagued the Kingdom of Macedonia, ultimately leading to its conquest by the Roman Empire, thus becoming a part of the Roman Republic.

King Philip II of Macedonia was a significant ruler of the ancient Macedonian Empire, reigning from 359 BC to 336 BC. He held power during the mid-4th century BC to the early 3rd century BC. Philip II was an outstanding military strategist and statesman who dedicated himself to unifying the fragmented Kingdom of Macedonia and expanding its territory. He implemented a series of reforms that bolstered Macedonia’s military strength and political organization, establishing a powerful army and successfully conquering the entire Greek peninsula.

One of Philip II’s greatest achievements was the creation of a dominant military force in Greece – the renowned Macedonian phalanx, a tactic that served as the foundation for Alexander the Great’s subsequent conquest of the world. However, his rule ultimately came to an end with his assassination by an assassin, leading to his son Alexander the Great inheriting the throne and expanding the influence of the Macedonian Empire into Asia and Africa.

物件編號: A167

年代: 公元前 359-336 年

材料: 黃金

尺寸: 18.0 x 17.6 mm

重量: 8.61 g

來源: 海瑞得拍賣行 2023

此枚為馬其頓王國腓力二世國王在位晚期或死後期間所發行的黃金斯塔特，是馬其頓王國的標準流通幣。 

此枚錢幣的正面為頭戴桂冠的戰神阿波羅面向右側的肖像，背面為被稱作Biga的戰車，馬匹下有康塔羅斯酒杯(kantharos) ，下方刻有希臘文字「 ΦIΛIΠΠΟΥ 」，意為統治者之名「腓力」。 

康塔羅斯酒杯（Kantharos），是古希臘和古羅馬時期常見的一種酒杯，具有高曲線的雙耳和寬杯體，通常是由陶瓷或金屬製成，常有裝飾性的紋飾或浮雕 。康塔羅斯酒杯在古代希臘和羅馬社會中非常流行，常用於宗教儀式和宴會，特別是與酒神戴奧尼索斯有關的場合，為古代文化和藝術的重要表現之一。 

“ΦIΛIΠΠΟΥ”是希臘名字“PILIPPOU”（Philippos）的音譯，其原始形式在英文中對應為“Philip”。 這個名字源自希臘語，由“φίλος”（philos，意為“朋友”）和“ἵππος”（hippos，意為“馬”）組成。 因此，“菲利普”這個名字在英文中可以理解為“愛馬的人”或“馬的朋友”。 

Biga（拉丁文），是古羅馬和希臘廣泛使用的一種雙輪戰車，由兩匹馬拉動。它的用途包括運輸、競技、軍事和宗教儀式等。然而，隨著時間的推移，其他戰術如步兵和騎兵的興起，逐漸取代了戰車在軍事上的地位。到了古羅馬帝國後期，戰車已經逐漸退出了軍事舞台，成為了歷史上的一種過時裝備。

儘管如此，戰車競技作為一項流行文化得到了成功的傳承。這項競技一直廣受歡迎，甚至在拜占庭時期的君士坦丁堡仍然舉辦。它甚至被列入古代奧運會的項目。時至今日，各地依舊存在著這種馬車競技賽事，延續著這項古老傳統的魅力。

馬其頓王國是古希臘的一個重要政治實體，位於巴爾幹半島北部。它在古代歷史上扮演著重要角色，尤其在公元前4世紀至前3世紀期間。馬其頓國王腓力二世和他的兒子亞歷山大大帝是該國最著名的統治者，他們擴張了馬其頓的領土並建立了一個強大的帝國。

馬其頓王國以其先進的軍事戰術而聞名，如馬其頓方陣，這些戰術成為了後來希臘和羅馬帝國的基礎。馬其頓帝國在亞歷山大大帝的統治下達到了頂峰，統治範圍擴展到亞洲和非洲。然而，隨著歷史的推移，馬其頓王國陷入內亂，最終被羅馬帝國征服，成為羅馬共和國的一部分。 

馬其頓國王腓力二世（Philipp II）是古代馬其頓帝國的一位重要統治者，在位期間為公元前359年－前336年 。他在公元前4世紀中葉至前3世紀初期掌權。腓力二世是一位傑出的軍事戰略家和政治家，他致力於統一分裂的馬其頓王國並擴張其領土。他推行了一系列改革，加強了馬其頓的軍事力量和政治組織，建立了一支強大的軍隊，並成功地征服了整個希臘半島。

腓力二世的最大成就之一是創建了一支稱霸希臘的軍隊 – 著名的馬其頓方陣，這種戰術成為後來亞歷山大大帝征服世界的基礎。然而，他的統治最終被刺客刺殺，而他的兒子亞歷山大大帝繼承了他的王位，將馬其頓帝國的影響力擴展到亞洲和非洲。