The Dance of the Curetes

Sale: Triton X, Lot: 721. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 8 January 2007.  Sold For $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Gordian III, with Tranquillina. AD 238-244. Æ 27mm (12.71 g, 6h). Mesembria mint. Struck AD 241-244. AVT K M ANT GORDIANOC AV (AV ligate) CEB TPANKVLLIN, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right, vis-à-vis draped bust of Tranquillina left, wearing stephane / MECAM–BPIANWN, two Curetes, helmeted and clad in short tunics, each holding short sword in right hand with and shield in left hand over head. SNG Copenhagen -; BMC -; SNG Fitzwilliam 1560 (same dies); Varbanov 2601. EF, dark green patina.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group 63 (21 May 2003), lot 994.

The Curetes share some of the attributes of the Corybantes, dancing divinities associated with the worship of Cybele, but their specific role in Greek mythology was to serve as the protectors of the infant Zeus while he was hidden away on Crete, safe from his murderous father Cronus. Their militant dancing, accompanied by the clashing of swords on shields, drowned out the cries of the infant. The Curetes dance was later re-enacted by young men at Greek festivals and games.