Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 532 8 Feb 2023
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MOESIA INFERIOR, Nicopolis ad Istrum. Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. Æ Tetrassarion (27.5mm, 11.13 g, 1h). Aurelius Gallus, legatus Augusti pro praetore. Struck AD 201-203. Laureate head right / Herakles and the Cretan Bull: Herakles standing left, wrestling the Cretan Bull. H&J, Nikopolis 8.14.14.33; AMNG 1309; Varbanov 2710. Brown patina, minor roughness. Good VF.
Herakles' 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.
Herakles' 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.