Author: Spencer Miller
-
Ptolemy V Epiphanes – A Young King Defeated, Then Immortalized in Stone
This piece stands as an anomaly in the 300-year series of Ptolemaic coinage. While nearly all Ptolemaic silver tetradrachms bear the portrait of the dynasty’s founder, Ptolemy I, this rare type depicts the current ruling monarch, the young Ptolemy V. The coin is complemented by attractive old cabinet toning throughout. Above: Ptolemy V Epiphanes (r.…
-
The Persian Empire After its Defeat in Greece (ca. 479-425 BC)
Much has been written about the David-and-Goliath story in which the small coalition of Greek city-states defeated the vast Persian Empire stretching from Bulgaria to India. Though the victories in the two Graeco-Persian Wars were certainly a watershed moment for Greece, inaugurating its golden age of art, theater, philosophy, and politics – they were actually…
-
The Gorgoneion – A Symbol of Medusa
There was an association between the gorgoneion (which simply means the head of a gorgon) and magic, even protection, which is why we see it often placed on shields. To backtrack, a gorgon is a hideous female figure with terrifying eyes and snakes for hair, that had the power to turn humans to stone. Sound…
-
Persian Rule in Egypt – The Twenty-Seventh Dynasty (525-333 BC)
Egypt was originally conquered by the Persians under Cyrus the Great’s son Cambyses, who invaded and subjugated Egypt in 525 BC. It remained under Persian control for over a century – the so-called Twenty-Seventh Dynasty (525-404 BC). Persian control over the fertile land along the Nile survived Persian defeats in the wars with the Greeks,…
-
A Second, Smaller City of Argos
Unfortunately for us, this second Argos appears very little in the historical record. The only detailed account of the city’s history occurs during the Peloponnesian War and is recounted to us by the great historian of that conflict, Thuycididies. An Athenian, the historian was impressively unbiased but nevertheless keen to recount the events that occurred…
-
Climax of the Gallic Wars: Julius Caesar vs. Vercingetorix
Vercingetorix was Caesar’s most formidable opponent to date by far, and Caesar knew it. He writes in his Commentaries (de Bello Gallico) of how the Gallic chieftain inflicted the worst defeat on his army of the eight-year war at Gergovia, in the Arverni heartland. Caesar claimed he lost 750 men, but his casualties likely numbered…
-
Jovinus the Usurper & the end of Roman Power in Germany
Described as Germany’s oldest city, Trier was founded under Augustus but only rose to prominence in the late 3rd century AD. As the Rhine frontier became increasingly the focal point of Roman military activity in the 4th century, Trier grew in importance as the effective capital of all Roman lands north of the Alps, with many legions…