Cook, Arthur B.: Zeus: a study in ancient religion (Band 3,1): Zeus god of the dark sky (earthquake, clouds, wind, dew, rain, meteorits): Text and notes (Cambridge, 1940)

174

The Arrhephoroi

Eryx (figs. 86, 87)1 was 'covered with dew and fresh grass2'—

medallions representing Venus in the Garden presuppose a Greek fresco of Aphrodite ev
K-qirois. The trees, the river, the wall or tower with battlements would all suit the famous
sanctuary beside the Ilissos.

3 Silver Utrai of Eryx, struck c. 480—413 b.c., have obv. EPVKINON (retrograde)
or ERV^AlTlB (partly retrograde) a female figure (? hierodule) sacrificing, with or

Fig. 84. Fig. 85.

without a phidle, at a lighted altar; the space behind her is sometimes filled by a floral
pattern: rev. a hound beneath a four-spoked wheel, or ivy-branch, or honeysuckle
ornament, once with volutes in exergue (Brit. Mus. Cat. Coins Sicily p. 62 nos. 6, 7 with
fig. ( = my fig. 84), 8, 9, G. F. Hill Coins of Ancient Sicily London 1903 p. 90 fig. H>
Weber Cat. Coins i. 274 no. 1305 pi. 50, Naville Sale Catalogue 1923 p. 36 no. 878 pi. 26
( = my fig. 85), Head Hist, num.2 p. 138).

1 A denarius struck by C. Considius Nonianus c. 60 b.c. shows obv. c ■ consiDI •
noniani || s ■ c head of Venus Erycina to right, with ear-ring, stephdne, and wreath;
rev. mountain with fortified gateway, inscribed ervc, below and tetrastyle temple above