Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVI 26 Sep 2018
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Sicily, The Mamertinoi Æ Hexas. Messana, circa 264-241 BC. Laureate head of youthful Ares to right; two pellets behind head, ΑΡΕΟΣ before / Athena Promachos advancing to right, holding transverse spear in her right hand and resting her left on shield set on the ground before her; MAMEPTINΩN behind. CNS I 21; SNG ANS 420-422; Särström Series X, 155; SNG Morcom 631. 8.60g, 23mm, 11h.
Extremely Fine. Very Rare. An excellent specimen of this rare type with a wonderful, intact patina.
Ex Roma Numismatics VII, 22 March 2014, lot 128 (hammer: £2,800);
Ex private German collection.
In 270 BC mercenaries of Italian origin who had originally been hired by Agathokles of Syracuse, seized the city of Messana by treachery. Having been offered shelter by the inhabitants of the city, they butchered their hosts as they slept and took the womenfolk for themselves. Renaming themselves the Mamertines after the Oscan god of war Mamers, the mercenaries held the town for twenty years, during which time they became pirates on land and sea, raiding and pillaging nearby settlements, and preying on unwary trade ships. Eventually Hieron II, tyrant of Syracuse, resolved to deal with the threat by force; the Mamertines however invoked the protection of a nearby Carthaginian fleet, and later (uncomfortable under the Carthaginian protection) formally requested to be allowed under the protection of Rome. Though initially unwilling to come to the aid of such despicable fellows, the Romans did not wish to see Carthaginian influence come so close to Italy, and so consented. Syracuse in response allied itself with Carthage, and the series of events that would lead to the First Punic War were thus set in motion.
Extremely Fine. Very Rare. An excellent specimen of this rare type with a wonderful, intact patina.
Ex Roma Numismatics VII, 22 March 2014, lot 128 (hammer: £2,800);
Ex private German collection.
In 270 BC mercenaries of Italian origin who had originally been hired by Agathokles of Syracuse, seized the city of Messana by treachery. Having been offered shelter by the inhabitants of the city, they butchered their hosts as they slept and took the womenfolk for themselves. Renaming themselves the Mamertines after the Oscan god of war Mamers, the mercenaries held the town for twenty years, during which time they became pirates on land and sea, raiding and pillaging nearby settlements, and preying on unwary trade ships. Eventually Hieron II, tyrant of Syracuse, resolved to deal with the threat by force; the Mamertines however invoked the protection of a nearby Carthaginian fleet, and later (uncomfortable under the Carthaginian protection) formally requested to be allowed under the protection of Rome. Though initially unwilling to come to the aid of such despicable fellows, the Romans did not wish to see Carthaginian influence come so close to Italy, and so consented. Syracuse in response allied itself with Carthage, and the series of events that would lead to the First Punic War were thus set in motion.