AR Stater 375-370 BC v. Chr. CILICIA, TARSOS - PERSIAN RULE - TARKUMUWA (DATAMES), SATRAP OF CILICIA AND CAPPADOCIA, 384-360 BC - circa 375-370 BC - MASTERP (cf. Triton XVIII, lot 71 in xf | USD 7000+ 15%)
(cf. Triton XVIII, lot 71 in xf | USD 7000+ 15%) | Abbreviations
Tarkumuwa
23.00 mm
weight 10,38gr. | silver Ø 23mm.obv. Baaltars seated right, torso facing, holding grain ear and grape bunch in extended right hand, cradling eagle-tipped scepter in left arm, forepart of bull below seat B′LTRZ (in Aramaic) to left, thymiaterion in background all within crenellated wall rev. Satrap seated right, wearing Persian dress, testing arrow held in both hands TRDMW (in Aramaic) to left, winged solar disk with volutes to upper right, bow to lower right Tarkumuwa (called Datames by the Greeks) was born circa 407 BC in Caria. He was a son of Kamisares, an Iranian satrap who governed Cilicia under the Achaemenid king Artaxerxes II (404–358 BC). Kamisares was most likely from a Persian noble-family that settled in Caria, and was one of the nobles who sided with Artaxerxes II during the revolt of Cyrus the Younger. Tarkumuwa′s mother was a Paphlagonian princess named Scythissa, who was married to Kamisares sometime before 401 BC. His father being satrap of Cilicia under Artaxerxes II, and high in the favour of that monarch, Tarkumuwa became one of the king′s bodyguards and having in this capacity distinguished himself in the war against the Kadusii, was appointed to succeed his father (who had fallen in that war) in the government of his province. Here he distinguished himself both by his military abilities and his zeal in the service of the king and reduced to subjection two officials who had revolted from Artaxerxes, Thyus, governor of Paphlagonia, and Aspis of Cataonia. During the 390s-60s BC the family of Kamisares and Datames was prominent. Datames eventually ruled a satrapy encompassing both Cilicia and Cappadocia.He was in consequence entrusted by the Persian king with the chief command of a force designed for the recovery of Egypt, following the failure of Pharnabazus II but the machinations of his enemies at the Persian court, and the risks to which he was in consequence exposed, induced him to change his plan, and throw off his allegiance to the king (circa 370 BC). He withdrew with the troops under his command into Cappadocia, and made common cause with the other satraps who had revolted from Persia (the ″Satraps′ Revolt″). Artabazos, the satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia, one of the generals that remained faithful to the king, advanced against him from Pisidia, but was entirely defeated. The great reputation that Tarkumuwa had acquired induced Artaxerxes to direct his utmost exertions to effect his subjection, but Autophradates, who was sent against him with a large army, was obliged to retreat with heavy loss. Tarkumuwa, however, though constantly victorious against open foes, ultimately fell a victim to treachery, and, after evading numerous plots that had been formed against his life, was assassinated at a conference by Mithridates, the son of Ariobarzanes, who had gained his confidence by assuming the appearance of hostility to the king. Tarkumuwa must have died before Artaxerxes, probably 362 BC. Tarkumuwa appears to have obtained the highest reputation in his day for courage and ability in war, which caused his fame to extend even among the Greeks, though he did not come into personal collision with them. He was succeeded by his son Ariamnes I who ruled 362–330 BC as satrap of Cappadocia under Persian suzerainty.
BMC 34 | SNG.Copenhagen 298 | SNG.von Aulock- (cf. 5952) Casabonne Series 2 cf. Moysey Issue 6 | SNG France 289 | Sear- SNG Levante 87 | Winzer 14.1 cf. Sunrise 52 | SNG BN 286-8R (cf. Triton XVIII, lot 71 in xf | USD 7000 + 15%) A somewhat irregular flan, but a wonderful strike on both sides with excellent details and with a beautiful tone and of great style. A splendid example, quite rare in such a high grade. xf
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