SHOWCASE V
Legends struck on metal

Representations of myths on coins are rare, possibly because it is extremely difficult to depict a large number of figures on the small circular surface of a coin. By contrast, portraits of mythological figures are more common.

The abduction of Persephone
Hades was in love with Demeter's daughter, Persephone. One day, as as she was picking flowers in the fields with her friend Cyane, he abducted her and took her to his Underworld kingdom. Eventually he allowed Persephone to return to her mother for six months a year, but she was forced to stay in the Underworld the rest of the year.

The myth of Persephone symbolizes not only the passage to the other world but also the regeneration of nature: as long as Persephone is in the Underworld (the period of winter), Demeter mourns the loss of her daughter and nature is barren, but in spring and summer, when Persephone returns to her mother, nature is in bloom.

The depiction of the Persephone's abduction on the coin of Etenna in Pisidia is impressive, as is its resemblance to a 4th century BC wall-painting from the tomb of Persephone in Vergina. The four-horse chariot is driven by Hermes, who is recognizable by his caduceus staff, petasus (winged hat), and winged sandals, while Persephone's posture indicates her surprise and abhorrence for Hades, who has abducted her.

Heracles and Eurystheus In a fit of madness Heracles killed his wife Megaris and their children. To atone for this deed, the oracle of Delphi ordered him to become a servant to Eurystheus, the king of Argolis, who had usurped his throne, and to perform the tasks that Eurystheus assigned to him. In order to kill Heracles, Eurystheus gave him twelve labours which seemed impossible for a mortal, but Heracles managed to accomplish them with the help of the gods, in particular Athena.

This coin of Sillyum contains a rare image, which may refer to a local myth, because a similar portrayal was found on a coin of Aspendus. Eurystheus sits enthroned on a dais. Behind him stands an unidentified naked man holding a spear and touching a dead animal with his right foot. In front of Eurystheus stands Heracles, recognizable from the lion skin he carries in his right hand, probably hearing about his next labour.

Heracles and the Nemean lion
The first of the twelve labours imposed on Heracles by Eurystheus was to kill the lion which was bringing terror to the region of Nemea. The depiction of a lion being strangled by the hero is found on a variety of works of art, such as statues, statuettes, reliefs, vases, sealstones and others.

Perseus and Andromeda
Andromeda was the daughter of the king of Ethiopia. Her mother, Cassiopeia, boasted that her daughter was more beautiful than the Nereids. The furious Poseidon sent a sea monster to the area, which brought devastation on the local people. An oracle declared that the only salvation was to deliver Andromeda to the monster, but she was rescued by Perseus, who had just killed the gorgon Medusa.

On the coin Perseus is shown freeing Andromeda. The hero holds in his left hand the gorgon's head and the sickle with which he beheaded the gorgon.