The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

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CHRONOLOGY OF THE COINS OF CHIOS. 51
It will be observed that, in addition to the unusual
reverse, this coin has a much flatter flan than any
other electrum stater of Chios. The work is archaistic ;
and the revival of the conventionalized lock of hair
at this moment of national crisis is most interesting,
this being its last appearance on the coinage. On the
other hand the treatment of the wing betrays the
freer style that art had attained by this date, and
connects the coin with didrachms Nos. 19-20. The
stephane also had not been seen on anything earlier
than the former of these two coins. The lotus-flower is
not quite distinct, but it seems a more likely object
judging from this stater's predecessors than the "little
club ", by which term it is customary to describe it.
It is unnecessary to recapitulate here the well-known
story of the Eevolt, and the prominent part played in
it by Chios, but the events subsequent to the terrible
vengeance wreaked upon the island by Persia after the
battle of Lade are not quite so familiar.
There seems to be no doubt but that the population
was swept together as in a net, 46 and deported whole-
sale, leaving nothing behind but ruined temples and
ravaged vineyards. This took place about one year
after the battle of Lade, say in 493 B. c. But the exile
did not last long, for in this same year Artaphernes
granted a constitution to the loniaiis, and the inhabi-
tants of Chios began to return. An opportunity was
soon found for the restoration of their old tyrant
Strattis, 47 under whom the island remained faithful
to Persia longer than some of its neighbours, and
actually sided with Xerxes against Greece.
The battle of Sal amis caused the national or aristo-
cratic party to revive, and an attempt was made to
4ci
Herodotus vi. 31.
" 7 Ibid. viii. 132.
E 2