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

160
Metal Size Weight
JE
M
M
M
M
M
M
3-
3+
M 4
2
5-4
+
4-3
185
93-3
ADDENDA.
GRAIA (Callipolis) Messapise.
Bivalve shell (pecten). B. Eagle, with open wings, on fulmen to r. ; in field to /•.,
star ; below, rPA.
Male head to r., Hermes ? ft. Two eagles, on a fulmen, to r. ; below, rPA.
Note.—The reasona for ascribing these coins to Callipolis, now Gallipoli, are, 1 . Their resemblance
to those of the neighbouring Taras, in having a jiecten for the obverse. 2. The importance of the
position and harbour of Gallipoli, leading to the presumption, that it must have been one of the
Greek cities of Messapia, which had autonomous mints. 3. The mention by Pomponius Mela
(2, 4) of an " urbs Graia Callipolis," on or near the " Sallentina littora," and not far to the southward
of the Tarentine Gulf, for in these words of Mela, Graia is evidently not a poetical adjective synonymous
with Grceca, but the ancient name of the place, like Graia, the Homeric name of Tanagra, in
Boeotia. All Greek names compounded of polls were comparatively of late date. In like manner
the Callipolis of the Hellespont, now GalUpoU, was more anciently named Cherronesus.
HADRIANOPOLIS Thracife,
Ton KTICTHN. Bearded head of Hercules to r. ft. AAPIANOnOAElTON. Her-
cules, naked, to I. ; in left hand, one of the necks of the hydra ; in uplifted
right hand, club ; behind, bow and quiver.
HYELE (Velia).
Helmeted head to r. B. Tripod ; YEAH, in two lines, across the field.
Head of Pallas to I.,— helmet decorated and bound with wreath of olive. B. Half
lion to I., devouring head of ram ; below, YEA.— Electrotype.
Note.— This coin confirms the attribution of the anepigraph silver coins of Velia.
LAEISSA Pelasgiotidis.
Diademate head of Apollo, adv., towards I. R. AAPU[A]IQN. Bridled horse
trotting to r.
Same type. B. Same legend ; horse to r. ; head towards the ground ; left forefoot
raised ;
under the horse, plant.
Note.—The plant is typical perhaps of water, and shows that the horse is drinking.
LAEISSA Cremaste Phthiotidis.
Youthful male head, with flowing hair hanging over the neck, to I. ; in field to I.,
water-plant ? (river-god.) B. AAPl. Female, seated adv. towards L, on seahorse,
with slender neck and head ; on her left arm, shield ; on which, mon.
I(AX, i. e. 'AxiXXt'uc).
Head of Apollo ? to r. B- Same legend and type.
Note.—For the position and present state of Larissa Cremaste, at Gardhiki, near the western shore
of the Northern Euboic Strait, see Travels in N. Greece, IV. p. 347. Strabo's description of its
district, as ivvSpos xai (l>ijra\o0opof, is still correct. A torrent from Mount Othrys which flows on
the western side of the ancient site, and turns the mills which serve to grind the corn of all the
adjacent country, is probably the river personified on tlie former of these two coins. The reverses
seem to represent Thetis in her way from the submarine caves of Vulcan to her son at Troy,
mounted on a Neptunian sea-monster, and bearing the shield of Achilles, which is marked with a
monogram of the two initial letters of his name. Heyne, not being aware of the existence of a
Larissa in Phthiotis, was unable to explain the epithet Larissseus, which Virgil gives to Achilles
(^n. 2, 197—Jl, 404).
It alludes to Larissa Cremaste as the birth-place of Achilles.