page_title: History of Syria
section_title: Persian Syria
hierarchical_section_title: History of Syria / Classical antiquity / Persian Syria
caption_attribution_description: English: SYRIA, Cyrrhestica, Bambyce (later Hieropolis). Abyaty. Circa 340-332 BC. AR Didrachm (8.41 gm, 11h). "[Hadad] and Ateh" in Aramaic, facing female bust, wearing necklace / "Abyaty" in Aramaic, high priest and driver, who hold reins, in quadriga right. Mildenberg, "A note on the coinage of Hierapolis Bambyce," Travaux Le Rider, 5 (this coin); Seyrig, "Le monnayage de Hieropolis de Syrie à l'epoque d'Alexandre," RN 1971, pl. 1, 4; Price, "More from the Memphis and the Syria 1989 hoard," Essays Carson-Jenkins, pg. 34, 16-17; BMC Syria -; SNG Copenhagen -; cf. SNG München 453. Good VF, toned, light scratches, obverse banker's mark, test cut on reverse. Very rare. This remarkable coinage was struck by the last Achaemenid daynasts/priests of Bambyce, and spans the gap between the Achaemenid and Alexandrine issues. With the exception of the Atargatis type (see next lot), the types used were primarily copied from popular coins in circulation at the time. On this particular issue, we see the influence of the contemporary facing-head issues of Tarsos (which themselves were influenced by Kimonean Syracuse issues; see lots 508-509 above), and the quadriga type in use at Sidon.
context_page_description: The history of Syria covers events which occurred on the territory of the present Syrian Arab Republic and events which occurred in the region of Syria. The present Syrian Arab Republic spans territory which was first unified in the 10th century BCE under the Neo-Assyrian Empire, the capital of which was the city of Assur, from which the name "Syria" most likely derives. This territory was then conquered by various rulers, and settled in by different peoples. Syria is considered to have emerged as an independent country for the first time on 24 October 1945, upon the signing of the United Nations Charter by the Syrian government, effectively ending France’s mandate by the League of Nations to "render administrative advice and assistance to the population" of Syria, which came in effect on April 1946. On 21 February 1958, however, Syria merged with Egypt to create the United Arab Republic after plebiscitary ratification of the merger by both countries’ nations, but seceded from it in 1961, thereby recovering its full independence. Since 1963, the Syrian Arab Republic has been ruled by the Ba’ath Party, run by the Assad family exclusively since 1970.
context_section_description: In 539 BCE, Cyrus the Great, King of Achaemenid Persians, took Syria as part of his empire. Due to Syria's location on the Eastern Mediterranean coast, its navy fleet, and abundant forests, Persians showed great interest in easing control while governing the region. Thus, the indigenous Phoenicians paid a much lesser annual tribute which was only 350 talent compared to Egypt's tribute of 700 talents. Furthermore, Syrians were allowed to rule their own cities in that they continued to adhere their native religions, establish their own businesses, and build colonies all over the Mediterranean coast. Syria's satraps used to reside in Damascus, Sidon or Tripoli.
  In 525 BCE, Cambyses II managed to conquer Egypt after the Battle of Pelusium. Afterwards, he decided to launch an expedition towards Siwa Oasis and Carthage, but his efforts were in vain as Phoenicians refused to operate against their kindred.
  Later on, Phoenicians contributed dearly to Xerxes I’s invasion of Greece. Arwad aided the campaign with its fleet, while land troops helped in constructing a bridge for Xerxes's army to cross the Bosphorus into mainland Greece.
  During Artaxerxes III’s reign, Sidon, Egyptians, and eleven other Phoenician cities started to revolt against the Persian rulers. The revolutions were heavily suppressed in that Sidon was burnt with its citizens.
caption: Coin of Bambyce, c. 340–332 BC
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