DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.14695#0821
Direct identifications of Zeus with the Moon 731
moon-god1. Thus silver tetradrachms of Antiochos viii Grypos,
king of Syria, struck between 121 and 96 B.C., have as their reverse
type Zeus standing erect within a laurel-wreath : he holds a long
sceptre in his left hand, an eight-rayed star, possibly meant for
the planet Iupiter, in his right; and on or over his head is the
crescent moon (figs. 538, 539)2.
Fig. 540.
1 E. Siecke Drachenkampfe Leipzig 1907 pp. 28—42 attempts to show that Zeus was
originally a moon-god : but his arguments (the birth of Zeus on various mountains ; his
grave in Crete ; his epithets Yiavbirr-qs, 'Aarepios, Xpv&awp, "EittS^los, \vKaios ; his con-
nexion with the double-axe, 'horns of consecration,' eagle, goat, ram ; his fight with the
Titans ; his temporary defeat by Typhoeus, etc.) are far from convincing.
2 Brit. Mus. Cat. Coins Seleucid Kings of Syria p. 88 f. pi. 24, r, Hunter Cat.
moon-god1. Thus silver tetradrachms of Antiochos viii Grypos,
king of Syria, struck between 121 and 96 B.C., have as their reverse
type Zeus standing erect within a laurel-wreath : he holds a long
sceptre in his left hand, an eight-rayed star, possibly meant for
the planet Iupiter, in his right; and on or over his head is the
crescent moon (figs. 538, 539)2.
Fig. 540.
1 E. Siecke Drachenkampfe Leipzig 1907 pp. 28—42 attempts to show that Zeus was
originally a moon-god : but his arguments (the birth of Zeus on various mountains ; his
grave in Crete ; his epithets Yiavbirr-qs, 'Aarepios, Xpv&awp, "EittS^los, \vKaios ; his con-
nexion with the double-axe, 'horns of consecration,' eagle, goat, ram ; his fight with the
Titans ; his temporary defeat by Typhoeus, etc.) are far from convincing.
2 Brit. Mus. Cat. Coins Seleucid Kings of Syria p. 88 f. pi. 24, r, Hunter Cat.