Antigonos Gonatas: Hellenistic Survivor
KINGS of MACEDON. Antigonos II Gonatas. 277/6-239 BC. AR Tetradrachm (33mm, 17.08 g, 6h). Amphipolis or Pella mint. Struck circa 252/1-246 BC. Horned head of Pan left, lagobolon over shoulder, in the center of a Macedonian shield / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIΓONOY, Athena Alkidemos advancing left, shield decorated with aegis on left arm, preparing to cast thunderbolt held aloft in right hand; crested Macedonian helmet to inner left, monogram to inner right. TEA Period II, Group 7, 32 (O5/R31); HGC 3, 1042. A few minor die breaks, light mark in field on reverse. Good VF. Well centered and struck.
Antiogonos Gonatas was the son of Demetrios Poliorketes and grandson of Antigonos Monophthalmos (“one-eyed”). During the wars of succession, he participated with his father on campaign in Greece and Macedon. Upon his father's death in 283 BC, Antigonos assumed the royal title and resolved to retake the Macedonian throne. Before he was able to invade Macedonia, in 279 BC, a huge wave of Galatians moved into the region from the north and ravaged as far south as Delphi. In 277 BC, Antigonos took his army north and decisively defeated the Celts in a victory that brought him recognition and acclaim across the Aegaean. Antigonos now seized the empty Macedonian throne and reigned successfully for nearly 30 years. His interesting coinage is made in the shape of a Macedonian shield, or aspis. In the tondo is a head of Pan, the god whom Antigonos credited with facilitating his victory over the Celts by spreading panic in their ranks.
