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Lansky Auction 3 5 Jan 2021
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Macedon. Akanthos. 500-480 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.01g). Tselekas Group 30; Gorny & Mosch 2010 (190) lot 115. Old cabinet tone. Perfectly centered and struck. Of particularly vigorous late Archaic style. Choice extremely fine. From a private collection; former W.E. collection
"As when a lion springs with a bound upon a herd of cattle and fastens on a great black bull which dies bellowing in its clutches..." sang Homer (Iliad 16). The lion attacking a bull composition was a very popular motif in the ancient world, originating in the ancient near east. The first depiction of the scene was identified on a prehistoric Elamite seal impression dating from the fourth millennium, and referred to an astronomical event involving the Zodiac constellations of Leo and Taurus.
"As when a lion springs with a bound upon a herd of cattle and fastens on a great black bull which dies bellowing in its clutches..." sang Homer (Iliad 16). The lion attacking a bull composition was a very popular motif in the ancient world, originating in the ancient near east. The first depiction of the scene was identified on a prehistoric Elamite seal impression dating from the fourth millennium, and referred to an astronomical event involving the Zodiac constellations of Leo and Taurus.