Numismata hellenica: a catalogue of Greek coins; with notes, a map ...

Metal
M
Size
5-4
5
M 2
JE
M
JE
JE
JE
4i
4
4
Weight
127-4
129-4
18-5
EUROPEAN GREECE. 75
METROPOLIS Acarnanise.
Head of Pallas to r., old
style ; behind, sprig of ivy. R. M. Pegasus with curled
wings, flying to r.
Head of Pallas to ^. ; behind, MA in mon., and shield. R. Pegasus flying to I. ;
under it, MA, in mon.
Note.—The Corinthian types and the weights show that these are didrachroa of one of the Corinthian
colonies of Acamania ; the MA in monogram fixes thera to Metropolis, written MATPOnOAIS
on an inscription which I copied at Actium.— Vide Tr. in N. Greece, IV. Ins., No. IfiS.
METROPOLIS ThessaHotidis.
Note.—There were two cities named Metropolis in Thessaly ; one in Thessaliotis, mentioned by
Csesar in his march from Gomphi to Pharsalus, the other (now Tumavo) in Pelasgiotis, noticed by
Livy, in describing the incursion of Antiochus into Thessaly in the year 191 b. c.— Vide Tr. in N.
Greece, III. p. 371.
Some interesting remains of the former are found on the southern border of the great plain of
Thessaliotis, below the Agrafiote village Blazdhu.— Vide Tr. in N. Greece, IV. p. 506. I found on
this site a basso relievo, illustrative of the worship of Venus Castnietis at Metropolis, as noticed by
Callimachus and Strabo (p. 437). One of the following coins relates to the same worship.
Female head, adv., towards I. R. MHTPOUOAITiiN. Apollo, in long drapery,
to r., playing on the lyre and singing. — Electrotype from the B. M.
Head of Apollo to r. ^.. [MHTP]onOAITSiN. Fore part of an ox to I., looking
to r. ; below, Ifl, in mon.
Note.—
Mionnet, Sup. III. p. 297, has described this coin from a specimen, which was apparently
in better condition than the present. The type of the reverse refers to the river, which flowed
through the city, or possibly to the Peneius ; for, as the territory of Metropolis comprehended Ithome
(Strabo, ibid.), it may have extended a few miles farther, in the same direction, as far as the right
bank of the Peneius. The bos respicieni is found on many of the Greek coins of Italy aa the type
of a river.
Same type. B. MHTPOnOAIT[aN]. Venus, half draped, standing to I on her
;
right hand, a bird her ; left, holding up her : drapery before her, a winged Cupid
to i., holding up both hands towards the bird ; in field above, Til, in mon.—
Electrotype from the B. M.
MOLOSSIS Epiri.
Fulmen on shield ; around it, MOAOSSiiN.
Another similar.
Head of Pallas, with griffin on helmet, to r. B
I., on a fulmen ; in field to I., n, in wreath.
Two others.
R. Fulmen,
in a wreath.
MOAOSSiiN. Eagle, standing to
Note.—There is suificient proof that the division of Epirus, inhabited by the Molossi, lay to the
eastward of Thesprotia, and extended from the Dodonrea southward to the district of Cassope (mde
supra, p. .S2, and Tr. in N. Greece, IV. p. 178). In this country several ancient sites are recognized,
and the ruins of small fortified towns, but none that bears any character of having been the capital
of Molossis. Possibly the ruined walls at Dhramisius, which protected a temple, and the great
theatre of the Molossi, may have contained also the Molossic mint.
MYCALESSUS Bceotite.
Note.—The Pelasgic termination •
assns,' or *
essus,' is generally found attached to cities on strong
heights, and such is the character of Mycalessus, of which the walls are still extant or traceable on
an eminence of the Boeotian coast, nearly opposite to Chalcis of Eubcca.