Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXV 22-23 Sep 2022
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Sicily, Syracuse AR 10 Litrai. Time of Hieronymos, circa 215-214 BC. Diademed head to left; K (retrograde) behind / BAΣIΛEOΣ IEPΩNYMOY, winged thunderbolt; KI above. Holloway 41 (O21/R33); SNG ANS 1029 (these dies); HGC 2, 1567. 8.41g, 23mm, 7h.
Good Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXI, 24 March 2021, lot 51 (hammer: £1,900);
Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 392, 4 May 2007, lot 4222.
Hieronymos ascended to the throne of Syracuse at a time of crisis. A Roman Consular army of eight legions and allied troops had been annihilated at Cannae only the year before, and Roman power had been dealt a considerable shock. The repercussions of that defeat had been profoundly felt in Sicily; the former king Hieron II had remained steadfast in his loyalty and support to Rome though a significant party in the city favoured abandoning the Roman alliance and joining the cause of Carthage, despite their traditional enmity to that people. The young Hieronymos, who had already shown signs of weakness and depravity of character, allowed himself to be influenced by his pro-Carthaginian uncles into breaking the alliance with Rome, a decision that would have disastrous consequences for Syracuse.
Good Extremely Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone.
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXI, 24 March 2021, lot 51 (hammer: £1,900);
Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 392, 4 May 2007, lot 4222.
Hieronymos ascended to the throne of Syracuse at a time of crisis. A Roman Consular army of eight legions and allied troops had been annihilated at Cannae only the year before, and Roman power had been dealt a considerable shock. The repercussions of that defeat had been profoundly felt in Sicily; the former king Hieron II had remained steadfast in his loyalty and support to Rome though a significant party in the city favoured abandoning the Roman alliance and joining the cause of Carthage, despite their traditional enmity to that people. The young Hieronymos, who had already shown signs of weakness and depravity of character, allowed himself to be influenced by his pro-Carthaginian uncles into breaking the alliance with Rome, a decision that would have disastrous consequences for Syracuse.