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Electronic Auction 523 7 Sep 2022
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LYDIA, Maeonia. Time of Trajan-Hadrian, AD 98-138. Æ (22mm, 5.12 g, 12h). Bearded head of Herakles left / Omphale advancing right, lion's skin draped over shoulder, holding club. Horchard 1303; Kurth 26; RPC III 2428A; SNG Ödemiş 388. Red-brown surfaces, flan chip. Near VF.
In expiation for his murder of Iphitos at Tiryns, Herakles was compelled by the Delphic oracle to serve Omphale, the queen of Lydia, for one year. During this time, he performed a number of labors, similar to those which he undertook while serving Eurystheus, including the capture of the Kerkopes, the killing of the Syleus, and the conquest of the city of the Itones. At the same time, he was forced to wear women's clothing and spin wool and, according to the poet Ovid (Fasti 2.305), at one point during this time, Omphale even wore Herakles' lion skin and carried his club while ordering him about. However, these actions seemed to have little ill-effect on the hero; after his year's service was completed, Herakles married Omphale.
In expiation for his murder of Iphitos at Tiryns, Herakles was compelled by the Delphic oracle to serve Omphale, the queen of Lydia, for one year. During this time, he performed a number of labors, similar to those which he undertook while serving Eurystheus, including the capture of the Kerkopes, the killing of the Syleus, and the conquest of the city of the Itones. At the same time, he was forced to wear women's clothing and spin wool and, according to the poet Ovid (Fasti 2.305), at one point during this time, Omphale even wore Herakles' lion skin and carried his club while ordering him about. However, these actions seemed to have little ill-effect on the hero; after his year's service was completed, Herakles married Omphale.