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

60 INSULAR GREECE.
Metal Size Weight
JE
M
JE
M
M
5h
6+ 263-6
8-7 267-9
HYBLA.
Note.—There were three towns of this name in Sicily ; 1. The lesser Hybia, which having stood
at the foot of the mountain bearing the indigenous name Hybla, was probably the most ancient of the
three. It was situated not far from the harbour where Agosta now stands ; having received a
colony from Greece, it assumed the name of Megara. 2. The greater Hybla, now Patemd, at the foot
of Mount JEtoa, near the left bank of the Simsethus. The third Hybla was sumamed Heraea, and
seems, from the Itineraries, to have stood at about three-fifths of the distance from Agrigentum
to Syracuse, by Acrfe (Palazzuolo). Hersea was noted for having been the scene of a victory
obtained by Icetas ot Syracuse over Phintias of Agrigentum, about the year B.C. 287, they having
marched respectively from the two cities, and met at Hereea (Diodor. 22, Eel. 2). Hybla Hertea
seems to have been not far from the southern coast, having had a Plaga, or maritime dependency ;
but its exact site has not been ascertained.
Veiled female head to r., with crown or modius, and hair in bunch behind ; behind
the neck, bee. H.. YBAA2 MErAAA2, in two Hnes; between, Bacchus in long
drapery to I. ; in right hand, cantharus ; left, resting on thyrsus ; at his feet
to /., young panther on hind legs.
Three others.
Note.—The bee was a symbol more properly belonging to the lesser Hybla, the Hyblsean honey
having been produced on the mountain above that town ; but the assumption by a later city of an
honour which did not originally belong tu it, was quite Hellenic, and was very natural in the instance
of a city styling itself " The Great."
I^TUM.
Note.— Vestiges of this town are found at lato, on a precipitous mountain about ten miles south-
south-west of Palermo, near the sources of the Crimisus, which flows by Eutella, and joins the sea
near Selinus.
[IAT]INON. Head of bearded Hercules, in lion's scalp, to r. B. Human head,
with crown, adv., in centre of triscelium ; from between the legs of which, three
ears of corn.
NoU.—Conf. Hunter, T. 31. iv. Torremuzza, Tab. 38.
LEONTINI.
Note,— Asovrivoi has the appearance of being the gentile of Aiovriov, which name may have
been imported from Achaia ; many of the emigrants, when the Greek cities in Sicily and Italy
were founded, having come from that part of Peloponnesus ; the name of the Sicilian city, however,
never occurs in Greek authors in the form Leontium, but always as Aeoi-rivot, which agrees with the
modem Lentini. Here some vestiges of ancient buildings are still observable ; and here some of the
finest specimens of the Greek ceramic art have been found by excavations in the ancient cemetery.
The types of the Leontine coins relate to the worship of Apollo, of which the lion's head is a type,
and to the fertility of the soil. Cicero describes the Leontine plain as "caput rei frumentiirise"
(Verr. 3, 18). When the Sun entered Leo, it was said that the Leontini found their fountaius always
filled (Plutarch, Sympos. 4, prob. 5).
Laureate head of Apollo to r. ; hair hanging over the forehead in plaits, or small
curls, and tied in a knot behind. B. Lion's head, with open mouth, and
tongue hanging out to r. ; dispersed around it, the legend UEOATIA'OA', and
four grains of barley.
Similar head to L, but without plaits, and hair rolled up behind. B. Lion's head
to /-., surrounded by three grains of barley ; same legend, between two of the
grains and the lion's head ; below, lyre.