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Lansky Auction 2 6 Jul 2020
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Sicily. Syracuse. Agathokles. 310-305 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.94g, 3h). SNG ANS 632; Franke-Hirmer 134. Old cabinet tone. Perfectly centered and struck. Choice extremely fine. From a European private collection; The Numismatic Auction 1982 (1) lot 35
Agathokles was born at Thermae in Sicily. Son of a potter who had moved to Syracuse in about 343 BC, he learned his father's trade, but afterwards entered the army along with his brother Antander. He was twice banished for attempting to overthrow the oligarchical party in Syracuse. In 317 BC he returned with an army of mercenaries under a solemn oath to observe the democratic constitution which was established after they took the city. Having massacred the oligarchs, he thus made himself master of Syracuse and subdued the greater part of Sicily.
Agathokles was born at Thermae in Sicily. Son of a potter who had moved to Syracuse in about 343 BC, he learned his father's trade, but afterwards entered the army along with his brother Antander. He was twice banished for attempting to overthrow the oligarchical party in Syracuse. In 317 BC he returned with an army of mercenaries under a solemn oath to observe the democratic constitution which was established after they took the city. Having massacred the oligarchs, he thus made himself master of Syracuse and subdued the greater part of Sicily.