Gold Tridrachm of Carthago (Carthage), Zeugitana, Tunisia, 12.39 g.

Gold Tridrachm of Carthago (Carthage), Zeugitana, Tunisia, 12.39 g.

Carthago (Carthage), Zeugitana, Tunisia

c. 260 BCE

Obverse: Head of Tanit/Demeter/Persephone facing left, wearing triple-drop earring, pendant necklace, and crown of grain.

Reverse: Horse standing to right with head turned back.

Style/Period: Carthaginian (ancient)

The obverse of this tridrachm depicts the chief Carthaginian goddess, Tanit, or one of the chief Sicilian goddesses, Demeter or Persephone, whose cult was introduced at Carthage to atone for the Carthaginian destruction of their temples in the late fifth century B.C. (see 91.042). The type is based on the Arethusa by Euainetos on Syracusan dekadrachms (see 91.041) and shares the same general hairstyle, the thin remnant of Arethusa's reeds at the crown, and the triple-drop earring, but it also has stalks of grain in its wreath that have encouraged identification with the agricultural goddesses Demeter and Persephone.
The horse on the reverse probably refers to the foundation legend of Carthage. According to that story, Juno showed the Phoenicians the future site of Carthage by indicating where they should dig up a horse's head, which would be a symbol of their military prowess (Virgil, Aeneid 1.441-44).
-- Kathleen L. Metzger Newmyer, LU '94

Bibliography: G.K. Jenkins and R.B. Lewis, Carthaginian Gold and Electrum Coins (London 1963) 391.

Former collection of Ottilia Buerger. Bought from Bank Leu, 1987.

91.043

Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890

Carthaginian, Tanit, Demete, Persephone,grain, horse, Carthago, Carthage, Zeugitana, Tunisia