Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 58 27 Apr 2021
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Ancient Coins, Macedon, Olynthos, Chalcidian League, struck c. 358-355 BC, tetradrachm, laur. head of Apollo r., rev. X-A-Λ-KIΔ-[EΩ]N, kithara, wt. 14.56gms. (SNG ANS 498-9), slightly eroded surfaces, good style, very fine, lightly toned
Olynthos founded the Chalcidian League in 432 BC which was an alliance of Greek cities in the Chalcidice Peninsula. When the league grew powerful, they gained hostility from Sparta. It led to a conflict lasting three years, until Sparta triumphed, and the league was dissolved. When Thebes defeated Sparta in 371 BC, the league was re-established and grew even more powerful than ever before. Peace wasn't to last long; war broke out again at the time this coin was struck, this time between Philip II of Macedon and Athens. Olynthos allied itself first to Philip, before turning to side with Athens. This would cost them dearly. In 348 BC as Philip raised Olynthus to the ground, Athens refused to come to their aid.
Olynthos founded the Chalcidian League in 432 BC which was an alliance of Greek cities in the Chalcidice Peninsula. When the league grew powerful, they gained hostility from Sparta. It led to a conflict lasting three years, until Sparta triumphed, and the league was dissolved. When Thebes defeated Sparta in 371 BC, the league was re-established and grew even more powerful than ever before. Peace wasn't to last long; war broke out again at the time this coin was struck, this time between Philip II of Macedon and Athens. Olynthos allied itself first to Philip, before turning to side with Athens. This would cost them dearly. In 348 BC as Philip raised Olynthus to the ground, Athens refused to come to their aid.