Cook, Arthur B.: Zeus: a study in ancient religion (Band 2,1): Zeus god of the dark sky (thunder and lightning): Text and notes (Cambridge, 1925)

The double axe and Zeus Labrdyndos 575

crowned caps of the Dioskouroi (fig. 480)1. Early imperial coppers
of the same town omit the caps2, but sometimes give the cult-statue
in more detail together with an eagle (fig. 481)3 or a stag4. At
Keramos a copper of Antoninus Pius shows a long-haired god,
apparently nude(?), standing to the right with a double axe in his

Fig. 481. Fig. 482. Fig. 483.

right hand and a tall sceptre or spear in his left: behind him is a
lion (fig. 482)5. A later variant, struck by Commodus, has the same
god, clad in a short chiton, with the axe in his left hand, the sceptre
or spear in his right, and behind him an animal of very doubtful
species—possibly a lioness or panther (fig. 483)". Another copper

1 Brit. Mus. Cat. Coins Caria, etc. p. 99 pi. 17, 4 ( = my fig. 480) EVPH M[EHN]
with obv. youthful head of Dionysos, 5 obv. EVPHM EON and TTOAE (magistrate's
name) Stag standing to right with labrys in front of it (symbol).

2 Brit. Mus. Cat. Coins Caria, etc. p. 100 pi. 17, 6.

:i Brit. Mus. Cat. Coins Caria, etc. p. too pi. 17, 8 ( = my fig. 481) Augustus and Livia.

4 Brit. Mus. Cat. Coins Caria, etc. p. 100 no. 6, of early imperial times, with rev.
6YPflM€nN eagle on thunderbolt.

5 J. Friedlaender in the Zeitschr. f. Num. 1875 ii. 109 f. fig. ( = my fig. 482). The
inscription, as B. V. Head in the Brit. Mus. Cat. Coins Caria, etc. p. 78 n.* points out,
'is almost certainly wrong.'

6 Brit. Mus. Cat. Coins Caria, etc. p. 78 pi. 12, 13 ( = my fig. 483): 'an animal re-
sembling a goat recumbent with fore-foot raised'...'The animal at the feet of the god on
this coin resembles a goat or stag.'