Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 523 7 Sep 2022
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PONTUS, Heracleopolis (as Sebastopolis). Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. Æ Tetrassarion (26.5mm, 12.17 g, 5h). Labor of Herakles issue. Dated CY 208 (AD 205/6). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Herakles and the Cretan Bull: Hercules standing left, head right, wrestling the Cretan Bull; ЄT HC (date) in fields. Amandry & Remy 17b; RG 6 var. (bust type); Voegtli type 4o. Rough green-brown patina. Good Fine. Rare.
Hercules seventh labor was to capture the Cretan Bull. Minos, the king of Crete, gave the hero permission to take the bull away, as it had been causing destruction on the island. Hercules subdued the Bull with his bare hands, and shipped it back to Athens. Although Eurystheus wished to sacrifice the bull to Hera, the goddess refused the sacrifice because it reflected glory on her sworn enemy. The bull was released and wandered into the town of Marathon, where it became known as the Marathonian Bull.
Hercules seventh labor was to capture the Cretan Bull. Minos, the king of Crete, gave the hero permission to take the bull away, as it had been causing destruction on the island. Hercules subdued the Bull with his bare hands, and shipped it back to Athens. Although Eurystheus wished to sacrifice the bull to Hera, the goddess refused the sacrifice because it reflected glory on her sworn enemy. The bull was released and wandered into the town of Marathon, where it became known as the Marathonian Bull.