Syllaeus - Chief Minister to Obodas III

250, Lot: 152. Estimate $150. Sold for $90. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

NABATAEA. Syllaeus and Aretas IV. 9-6 BC. AR 1/4 Drachm (11mm, 1.12 g, 12h). Petra mint. Struck circa 9/8 BC. Diademed head of Obodas III right; monogram behind / Aramaic shin and het within wreath. Meshorer, Nabataea Sup. 4. Good Fine.

Describing Obodas III’s chief minister Syllaeus, the historian Josephus writes “for the most part his [Obodas’] realm was governed by Syllaeus, who was a clever man, still young in years and handsome.” (Antiquitates Judaicae, XVI, 220) On the death of Obadas, Syllaeus, likely positioning himself to become king, took control alongside Aretas IV, Obodas’ son and intended successor. Within months he was brought to Rome, found guilty of murdering Obodas, and cast from the Tarpeian rock.