Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 482 16 Dec 2020
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CRETE, Knossos. Circa 360-320 BC. AR Stater (24mm, 10.97 g, 12h). Head of Demeter right, wearing wreath of grain ears, single-pendant earring, and necklace; c/m: boukranaion / Cruciform labyrinth with five pellets in center; square incuses in outer quarters. Svoronos, Numismatique 45 var. (no incuses on rev. [note: same obv. die as Sv. 43 and 47–8]); Le Rider, Crétoises pl. VII, 4. Toned, a few scrapes. Near VF.
According to the Greek myth, Minos was the first king of Crete. Although he gave the island its first constitution, ordered the construction of the palace at Knossos, and was the first to build a navy, he was a cruel tyrant and imperialist. One of his subject cities was Athens. He demanded from its citizens as payment every nine years seven youths and seven virgins. Minos would feed them then to the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull who was held in the Labyrinth, a large walled maze. To stop this brutal tribute, the Athenian hero, Theseus, had himself sent as part of the required tribute. With the assistance of Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, Theseus was able to navigate the Labyrinth successfully and kill the Minotaur.
According to the Greek myth, Minos was the first king of Crete. Although he gave the island its first constitution, ordered the construction of the palace at Knossos, and was the first to build a navy, he was a cruel tyrant and imperialist. One of his subject cities was Athens. He demanded from its citizens as payment every nine years seven youths and seven virgins. Minos would feed them then to the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull who was held in the Labyrinth, a large walled maze. To stop this brutal tribute, the Athenian hero, Theseus, had himself sent as part of the required tribute. With the assistance of Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, Theseus was able to navigate the Labyrinth successfully and kill the Minotaur.