The Insurrection of Bassus

436, Lot: 345. Estimate $300. Sold for $280. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch. temp. Q. Caecilius Bassus. Proconsul, 46-44 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 15.62 g, 12h). In the name and types of the Seleucid king Philip I Philadelphus. Dated year 4 of the Caesarean Era (46/5 BC). Diademed head of Philip I right within fillet border / BAΣIΛEΩ[Σ]/ΦIΛIΠΠΟV to right, EΠIΦANOV[Σ] [ΦΙ]ΛΑΔΕΛ[ΦΟV] to left, Zeus Nicephorus enthroned left; monogram of Antioch to lower inner left, monogram below throne, ∆ (date) and winged thunderbolt in exergue; all within laurel wreath. McAlee 5b; Prieur 5; RPC I 4128; SC 2491.2; HGC 9, 1360b. EF, lightly toned.

Struck during the time of Q. Caecilius Bassus’ governorship of Syria. Bassus, a supporter of Pompey, had led an insurrection against Sextus, cousin of Julius Caesar and governor of Syria from 47-46 BC. For two years he fought off attacks from enemy forces, even calling on the Parthians for assistance (Dio 27.5), before finally falling to Cassius, one of the assassins of Caesar.