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SATRAPS of CARIA. Rhoontopates. Circa 336/5-333/2 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24.5mm, 15.15 g, 1h). Halikarnassos mint. Head of Apollo facing slightly right, wearing laurel wreath and drapery around neck / Zeus Labraundos standing right, wearing chiton and himation wrapped around the left arm; POONTOΠATOY to right. Konuk, Identities 34; HN Online 49 (this coin illustrated). Lightly toned, hairlines on reverse, small die break on obverse. Near EF. Fine style. Extremely rare, fewer than ten examples known.
From the Pythagoras Collection, purchased from Herb Kreindler (his inventory ticket included). Ex Classical Numismatic Group 42 (29 May 1997), lot 511; Berk BBS 94 (16 January 1997), lot 192; Berk BBS 91 (25 June 1996), lot 186; Berk BBS 88 (28 November 1995), lot 196.
Rhoontopates, a Persian noble, first appears in history during the reign of Philip II of Macedon. As Philip commenced his invasion of Asia, the satrap of Caria, Pixodaros, proposed an alliance to be sealed by the marriage of Pixodaros’ daughter with Philip’s son, Philip Arrhidaios. As negotiations progressed, Alexander learned of the plans and secretly sent the famous actor Thettalos to Pixodaros to tell him that Philip Arrhidaios was a half-wit and to offer Alexander himself as bridegroom. Alexander’s meddling ruined the negotiations, no alliance was made, and Caria remained an enemy to resist Alexander in his eventual march through Asia. Pixodaros thereupon married his daughter to Rhoontopates, who was the first Persian to marry into the ruling family of Caria. Philip, infuriated by Alexander’s meddling, punished his son. The episode shows Alexander’s immaturity, as he did not realize that Philip was prepared to sacrifice Philip Arrhidaios to a Carian marriage but would not have compromised his heir in such an alliance.
After the death of Pixodaros in 334 BC, Rhoontopates succeeded him, and as Alexander marched south he found himself opposed by the man who had married the woman to whom he had offered himself. With the assistance of Greek mercenaries, Rhoontopates led a spirited defense of the capital city of Halikarnassos, which fell to Alexander after fierce fighting that helped establish Alexander’s reputation for siege warfare. Rhoontopates continued to hold outlying areas of Caria for a further few months, but in 333/2 BC Alexander’s conquest of the province was completed.
The final winners of all Triton XXVI lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 10-11 January 2023.
Triton XXVI – Session One – Lots 1-334 will be held Tuesday morning, 10 January 2023 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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