Lot 3239

Description

Italy, Bruttium, The Brettii, (c.216-214 B.C.), silver drachm (4.15 g), Attic Standard, Second Punic War issue, obv. diademed and draped bust of Nike to right, bucranium behind, rev. river god standing facing, crowning himself with wreath and holding sceptre, BPETTI**WN, P* to right, (S.514, Arslan dies 71/101; HN Italy 1962). Very fine, dark find patina, rare.

The Brettii were an indigenous Italian people who emerged in southern Italy in the mid-fourth century BC. Ancient authors describe them as a group of revolted slaves and miscellaneous fugitives who came together after seeking refuge in the rugged mountains of the area. Nonetheless, it is more likely that most of these people were native Oenotrians or Pelasgians who had escaped from domination by the Greek cities and other native groups to the north. By the mid-third century BC, this disparate congregation of people, now known as the Brettii, had become the predominant power over most of Italy south of the river Laos, including the important mints of Consentia, Medma, Hipponium, Terina, and Thurium (Diod. XVI.15; Strabo VI).