AR Tetradrachm 476-460 BC v. Chr. KINGDOM OF MACEDONIA - ALEXANDER I, 498-454 - Aigai, circa 476-460 BC vf / vf-

Alexander I was the son of King Amyntas I and Queen Eurydice. Alexander I came to the throne in 498 BC, during the era of the kingdom′s vassalage to Achaemenid Persia, dating back to the time of his father, Amyntas I, although Macedon retained a broad scope of autonomy. Under Alexander I, (barbarian) Macedonia was first intensively involved with Greek culture and he managed to get Macedonian athletes allowed to participate in the honorable Olympic Games. Out of admiration for Greek culture, he donated a golden statue to the temple of Delphi. He played an important role in the Greco-Persian Wars, where he managed to use his forced alliance with the Persians to warn the Greeks of the Persian plans of attack. Alexander managed to build up a well-organized army and thus laid the foundation for the Macedonian Empire. In 492 BC it was made a fully subordinate part of the Persian Empire by Mardonius′ campaign. Alexander acted as a representative of the Persian governor Mardonius during peace negotiations after the Persian defeat at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC. In later events, Herodotus several times mentions Alexander as a man who was on Xerxes′ side and followed his orders.

Despite his cooperation with Persia, Alexander I frequently gave supplies and advice to the Greek city states, and warned them of Mardonius′ plans before the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC. For example, Alexander I warned the Greeks in Tempe to leave before the arrival of Xerxes′ troops, and notified them of an alternate route into Thessaly through upper Macedonia. After their defeat in Plataea, the Persian army under the command of Artabazus tried to retreat all the way back to Asia Minor. Most of the 43.000 survivors were attacked and killed by the forces of Alexander at the estuary of the Strymon river. Alexander eventually regained Macedonian independence after the end of the Persian Wars. Alexander I was given the title "philhellene", fond of the Greeks, lover of the Greeks), a title used for Greek patriots. In 454 BC, he was unexpectedly assassinated, after which his eldest son Alketas II succeeded him. Struck in the old capital of Macedonia, Aigai. The first royal Macedonian silver
coins were struck according to the heavy and light Thraco-Macedonian Standard.
Very rare coin of elegant style.

Sear 1479var. | Raymond 60a | SNG.Copenhagen- | SNG.Delepierre-
SNG.München- | SNG.ANS.24 | AMNG.33 | Babelon, Traité, plate XLVIII, 10 RR
vf/vf-

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