Hercules’ Ninth Labor - The Golden Girdle of Hippolyte – Third Known Specimen

Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 528. Estimate $3000.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $4500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 27.78 g, 12h). Labor of Hercules type. Dated RY 5 (AD 141/2). [AVT K] T AIL ADRI ANTwNI[NOC CEB EYC], laureate head right / Hercules standing right, lion skin over left shoulder, cradling club in his left arm and extending right hand to Hippolyte, who lies prostrate to right on horse fallen left; L/E (date) to right. Köln -; cf. Voegtli type 5m; BMC -; Dattari 2616 = Emmett 1540.5 (same rev. die); Milne -. Good VF, dark green patina with areas of red on reverse, light overall porosity. Extremely rare, only the second known specimen with this reverse type.

From the James E. Cain Collection. Ex Triton I (2 December 1997), lot 729.

At the request of Admete, Eurystheus' daughter, Hercules as his Ninth Labor went to seize the golden girdle of Hippolyte, a garment that gave power and supremacy to the wearer. The daughter of Otrera and the god Ares, Hippolyte was the queen of the Amazons, an all female race who lived near the slopes of the Caucasus. To carry off this Labor, Hercules organized an expedition, which included the Athenian hero Theseus. Upon the heroes’ arrival, the Amazon women greeted them warmly, while Hippolyte offered the girdle as a gift. Hera, on hearing this, took the form of an Amazon, spreading a rumor that Hercules had come to steal away their queen, and take her back with him to Greece. The female warriors, in protection of their queen, began fighting the heroes. In the melée that followed, Hercules slew Hippolyte, thinking she had betrayed him. Winning the battle, Hercules headed back for Mycenae. On the way, he saved the life of Hesione, daughter of Laomedon, king of Troy. Laomedon, however, refused to reward the hero for his service. In retribution, Hercules slew the king and all his sons, save the youngest, Podarces, who later became known as Priam.