Ancient Greek pentonkia Ca. 220-200 BC. Sicily, Mamertini Good very fine

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Obv: laureate head of young Ares to the left, behind: sword in scabbard.
Rev: ΜΑΜΕΡ[ΤΙΝΩΝ]; horseman, holding a lance, standing beside horse; in left field: Π.
Ref: Ex Virzi 734, ex Gorny & Mosch 207 (2012), lot 59.
A portrait of excellent style and a wonderful brown tone.

The Mamertini, translated “the sons of Mars”, were Campanian mercenaries hired by Agathokles, tyrant of Syracuse from 317 to 289 BC. After becoming unemployed they plundered the countryside until they came upon the city of Messana. Being allowed access to the city, they betrayed their hosts and took control over the city.
They changed the peaceful city to a pirate-base from where they planned their raids on sea and on land. At a certain point the Mamertines asked the help of Rome against Carthage and so were the casus belli for the First Punic War.

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