DOI Heft:
I. Artykuly
DOI Artikel:Kalita, Stanisław: Portraits of rulers on greco-bactrian and indo-greek coins: an attempt at classification
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21229#0018
der the helmet, a king’s diadem was betokened indicating the full extent
of power vested in the wearer.
Among the Hellenistic rulers, hardly any are presented wearing a hel-
met. This also applies to the Seleucids, who had the most to do with Bac-
tria. Only Seleucus I appeared in a helmet of a non-Bactrian type, decora-
ted with bulks ear and horn. It is probably a unique instance - outside of
Bactria and India - of these attributes appearing on a ruler’s portrait.
III. DIADEM AND CAUS1A PORTRAITS (Fig. 3)
Tikenesses of rulers in a causia, the characteristic Macedonian head-
dress, follow the same pattern as described above: a right-facing bust with
a cloak buckled under the chin. The causia, a flattened conical hat, appe-
ars already on the reverse of a coin of Philip II of Macedonia, where it is
worn by a mounted man (king?).33 Kraay points to its similarity to those
that adorned the heads of rulers of Bactria.34
Earlier, in the section devoted to helmet portraits, mention was made
of the image of king Apollophanes shown wearing a helmet which was
thought by some scholars to be a type of causia resembling a brimmed hat.
Portraits in a causia are found on coins of six rulers: Antimachus I,
Apollodotus I (180-160 BC), Lysias (120-110 BC), Demetrius III (?) (ap-
prox. 100 BC), Aitialcidas, and Amyntas.
Artistically, the most highly esteemed are portraits of Antimachus. They
are regarded as examples of the finest monetary portraiture ever produ-
ced in the Hellenistic world.35 A realistic, highly individualized picture of
the king of Bactria reveals the face of a man past his youth and less that
comely, and yet dignified, thinking, and determined. The characteristic,
somewhat sarcastic smile suggests skepticism and slightly humorous de-
tachment from worldly affairs. Margaret Bieber quotes the opinion that
Antimachus’ likeness is „amazingly modern-looking.”36
33 C. M. Kraay, M. Hirmer, op. cit., tab. 170, no 562
34 Ibid., p. 378
35 M. Mielczarek, Monety greko-baktryjskie i indo-baktryjskie w zbiorach Muzeum Ar-
cheologicznego i Etnograficznego w Łodzi, Prace i Materiały MAEŁ. Seria numizmatyczna
i konserwatorska, 1, 1981, pp. 69-79
36 M. Bieber, The Sculpture of the Hellenistic Age, New York, 1955, p. 87
16
of power vested in the wearer.
Among the Hellenistic rulers, hardly any are presented wearing a hel-
met. This also applies to the Seleucids, who had the most to do with Bac-
tria. Only Seleucus I appeared in a helmet of a non-Bactrian type, decora-
ted with bulks ear and horn. It is probably a unique instance - outside of
Bactria and India - of these attributes appearing on a ruler’s portrait.
III. DIADEM AND CAUS1A PORTRAITS (Fig. 3)
Tikenesses of rulers in a causia, the characteristic Macedonian head-
dress, follow the same pattern as described above: a right-facing bust with
a cloak buckled under the chin. The causia, a flattened conical hat, appe-
ars already on the reverse of a coin of Philip II of Macedonia, where it is
worn by a mounted man (king?).33 Kraay points to its similarity to those
that adorned the heads of rulers of Bactria.34
Earlier, in the section devoted to helmet portraits, mention was made
of the image of king Apollophanes shown wearing a helmet which was
thought by some scholars to be a type of causia resembling a brimmed hat.
Portraits in a causia are found on coins of six rulers: Antimachus I,
Apollodotus I (180-160 BC), Lysias (120-110 BC), Demetrius III (?) (ap-
prox. 100 BC), Aitialcidas, and Amyntas.
Artistically, the most highly esteemed are portraits of Antimachus. They
are regarded as examples of the finest monetary portraiture ever produ-
ced in the Hellenistic world.35 A realistic, highly individualized picture of
the king of Bactria reveals the face of a man past his youth and less that
comely, and yet dignified, thinking, and determined. The characteristic,
somewhat sarcastic smile suggests skepticism and slightly humorous de-
tachment from worldly affairs. Margaret Bieber quotes the opinion that
Antimachus’ likeness is „amazingly modern-looking.”36
33 C. M. Kraay, M. Hirmer, op. cit., tab. 170, no 562
34 Ibid., p. 378
35 M. Mielczarek, Monety greko-baktryjskie i indo-baktryjskie w zbiorach Muzeum Ar-
cheologicznego i Etnograficznego w Łodzi, Prace i Materiały MAEŁ. Seria numizmatyczna
i konserwatorska, 1, 1981, pp. 69-79
36 M. Bieber, The Sculpture of the Hellenistic Age, New York, 1955, p. 87
16