Savoca Coins
Online Auction 93 | Silver 17 Jan 2021
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Arkadia. Psophis. Septimius Severus AD 193-211. Struck circa AD 198-209
Assarion Æ
23 mm, 5,92 g
[...] ΛOV CEΠTI CE[...], laureate head right / ΨΩ-ΦΙ-[...], Dionysos standing facing, his head to left, wearing short tunic and boots and holding kantharos with his right hand and thyrsos with his left.
nearly very fine
BCD Peloponnesos 1690; NCP, T XXI.
Psophis is rarely mentioned in history. In 219 BC it was in possession of the Eleians, and was taken by Philip, king of Macedonia, who was then in alliance with the Achaeans. In narrating this event Polybius gives an accurate description of the town. "Psophis," he says, "is confessedly an ancient foundation of the Arcadians in the district Azanis. It is situated in the central parts of Peloponnesus, but in the western corner of Arcadia, and adjoining the Achaeans dwelling furthest towards the west. It also overhangs conveniently the country of the Eleians, with whom the city was then in close alliance. Philip marched thither in three days from Caphyae, and encamped upon the hills opposite to the city, where he could safely have a view of the whole city and the surrounding places. When the king observed the strength of the place, he was at a loss what to do. On the western side of the town there is a rapid torrent, impassable during the greater part of the winter, and which, rushing down from the mountains, makes the city exceedingly strong and inaccessible, in consequence of the size of the ravine which it has gradually formed. On the eastern side flows the Erymanthos, a large and impetuous river, concerning which there are so many stories. As the western torrent joins the Erymanthos on the southern side of the city, its three sides are surrounded by rivers, and rendered secure in the manner described. On the remaining side towards the north a strong hill hangs over, surrounded by a wall, and serving the purpose of a well-placed citadel. The town itself also is provided with walls, remarkable for their size and construction." (Plb. 4.70.)
Assarion Æ
23 mm, 5,92 g
[...] ΛOV CEΠTI CE[...], laureate head right / ΨΩ-ΦΙ-[...], Dionysos standing facing, his head to left, wearing short tunic and boots and holding kantharos with his right hand and thyrsos with his left.
nearly very fine
BCD Peloponnesos 1690; NCP, T XXI.
Psophis is rarely mentioned in history. In 219 BC it was in possession of the Eleians, and was taken by Philip, king of Macedonia, who was then in alliance with the Achaeans. In narrating this event Polybius gives an accurate description of the town. "Psophis," he says, "is confessedly an ancient foundation of the Arcadians in the district Azanis. It is situated in the central parts of Peloponnesus, but in the western corner of Arcadia, and adjoining the Achaeans dwelling furthest towards the west. It also overhangs conveniently the country of the Eleians, with whom the city was then in close alliance. Philip marched thither in three days from Caphyae, and encamped upon the hills opposite to the city, where he could safely have a view of the whole city and the surrounding places. When the king observed the strength of the place, he was at a loss what to do. On the western side of the town there is a rapid torrent, impassable during the greater part of the winter, and which, rushing down from the mountains, makes the city exceedingly strong and inaccessible, in consequence of the size of the ravine which it has gradually formed. On the eastern side flows the Erymanthos, a large and impetuous river, concerning which there are so many stories. As the western torrent joins the Erymanthos on the southern side of the city, its three sides are surrounded by rivers, and rendered secure in the manner described. On the remaining side towards the north a strong hill hangs over, surrounded by a wall, and serving the purpose of a well-placed citadel. The town itself also is provided with walls, remarkable for their size and construction." (Plb. 4.70.)