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

Metal Size Weight
M
M M
M
M
M
M i
4+
4
5-4
5|
61-5
62-1
61-1
56-1
62-3
58-9
ITALY. 12i
Note.—This legend leads to the belief, that besides the Hyrium or Ureium to the northward of
Mount Garganus and the Hyria or Uria of Messapia, there was a Hyria also of Apulia. In type, in
style, and in the letters of the legend, this coin resembles so much those of Canusium, Caelium,
Butuntum, Rubi, and others, that one can hardly resist the inference that Hyria or Hyriate was one
of the many small Greek republics coining money, which in the fourth and fifth centuries B.C. occupied
that fertile country now called the Terra di Bari. The rudder and dolphin marking it for maritime,
it occupied, perhaps, like Azetium, the site of one of those towns which line the coast between the
mouth of the Aufidus and Brentesium, and to
been satisfactorily assigned.
none of which, except Bari, has any ancient name
ITALIAN LEAGUE.
Note.—The social war commenced in the year b.c. 90. The league consisted of eight peoples,—
the Marsi, Picentes, Vestini, Marrucini, Peligni, Frentani, Samnitse, and Hirpini. In imitation of
Rome, two consuls were chosen, — Quintus Pompcedius Silo and Gains Papius Mutilus. Both these
names appear on the coins of the league. The most eminent of the Roman generals opposed to
them were Marius and Sylla. Corfinium, to which they gave the name of Italicum, was their capital,
until the Peligni having submitted to Rome, .lEsernia became their seat of government. In these
two places, we must suppose their money, of which all that is extant consists of denarii, to have been
minted. From some of the following specimens it appears, that when four of the peoples had been
reduced, the league was renewed by the four remaining, and again by two.
VI\^aTl2 (Italia). Female head, crowned with corn-leaves, to ?. Ijt. Armed and
half-draped figure, adv., looking to r. ; right hand resting on spear ; r., head and breast of an ox.
in field to
Another similar.
ITALIA. Same type, R. A male figure, kneeling to r., holds up a spear (symbol of
Mars) ; beside him, a pig ; on either side, four armed figures with swords
lowered ; in exergue, A\ .
Note.—A pig was the customary victim on the occasion of an alliance.
" . . . . . reges
Armati Jovis ante aram paterasque tenentes
Stabant, et csesa j ungebant foedera porca." —^n. viii. 639.
.... Head of Pallas to r. B. Similar kneeling figure holds up the pig in his
hands; two warriors on either side touch it with their swords; in exergue,
(C. Paapi, C.) Caio Papio Consule.
aVTROattia .vlirvm (Mutil. Embratur — Mutilus Imperator) in Samnite letters
from r. to I. Head of Pallas to I. R. Figure kneeling and holding pig as
before; on either side, one warrior touching it with his sword; in exergue,
same legend ?— This and the two preceding are Electrotypes from the B. M.
Same legend. Head of Bacchus to r. R. Bull to r., piercing with its horn a
prostrate wolf to r. ;
in exergue, C. Paapi, in Samnite letters.
Note. The ox was the symbol of the Italian league, the wolf of Rome.
LARINUM Frentanorum.
iVote.—Larinum, now Larino, was in the time of Cicero a flourishing municipium, and its name
occurs in the narrative by Livy of the second Punic war. Its antiquity may be presumed to have
been at least equal to the Diomedean foundations nearer the coast, as its etymon Lar (head), the
same as that of the Larisste of European and Asiatic Greece was brought by the Pelasgi into
Etruria together with the Greek alphabet, and became an usual word in the language of that
country.
Head of Pallas to r. R. Armed horseman galloping to I. ; in right hand, spear
horizontally ; left side covered with large round shield ; below, UADINOD (Larinor)
; and in exergue, • • • • • (quincunx).
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