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Æ21 - Hadrian ΑΡΓΕΙωΝ
| Issuer | Argos (Achaea) |
|---|---|
| Year | 117-138 |
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| Composition | Bronze |
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| Reverse description | Standing male figure, identified tentatively as the mythological seer Melampous, depicted facing right with legs crossed in a relaxed contrapposto stance. The figure grasps two serpents firmly by the throats, one in each hand, referencing the myth in which Melampous gained prophetic powers through serpents. The ethnic legend of the Argives appears in the field. The reverse type reflects Argos's strong civic pride in its mythological heritage, as Melampous was regarded as a founding hero of the city. |
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| Reverse lettering | ΑΡΓΕΙωΝ (Translation: of the Argives) |
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| Additional information |
Argos was among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Greece and maintained civic coinage rights under Roman administration as a mark of municipal prestige rather than economic necessity — imperial bronze handled actual commerce. This piece belongs to Hadrian's reign, a period during which the emperor's personal affection for Greece translated into tangible benefits for Achaean cities: building programs, restored civic privileges, and renewed encouragement of local identity. Hadrian visited the Peloponnese and was initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries, cultivating Greek sentiment with unusual deliberateness for a Roman emperor.