The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Indo-Greek Coin

Indo-Greek Coin

200–1 BCE
silver
Diameter: 3.2 x 0.5 cm (1 1/4 x 3/16 in.)
Gift of Dr. Norman Zaworski 2011.210.b
Location: not on view

Description

After Alexander of Macedon succeeded in conquering Egypt and Persia in 331 BC, his ambition to rule the known world led him further east across Bactria in Afghanistan, through the Hindu Kush mountain pass, and into India. There he succeeded in defeating all the local kings of the region until his men, on the brink of mutiny, insisted that they return to Greece. Alexander left governors in charge of his territories, and after his death in 323 BC, his governors became independent kings, establishing Hellenistic cities and a Greek cultural base in the region, which lasted for almost 200 years.

The posthumous portrait of Alexander on the front of this coin depicts him wearing the lion scalp. He identified with Hercules, the mortal who became a god as a result of his superhuman feats, including the defeat of the Nemean lion.
  • ?–c. 2000
    (Bruce Ferrini [1949–2010], Akron, OH, sold to Dr. Norman Zaworski)
    c. 2000–2011
    Dr. Norman Zaworski [1920–2013], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2011–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Indo-Greek Coin|url=false|author=|year=200–1 BCE|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2011.210.b