Lot 4561

Description

Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch, Mark Antony and Cleopatra, (36 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, 26mm, (14.48 g), obv. BACI**L*ICCA K**LEOPATPA QEA NEWTEPA, diademed bust of Cleopatra right, wearing earring, necklace, and embroidered dress, rev. ANTWNIOC AVTOKPATWP TRITON TPIWN AN**D*PWN, bare head of Antony right, (S.-, McAlee 174, Prieur 27, BMC 53, RPC I 4094, HGC 9, 1361). Good fine, porous surface, a great rarity and most important.

After Caesar's assassination, Cleopatra set her sights on the dashing Roman general Mark Antony. The two began an affair, resulting in twins in 40 B.C. Antony wed Cleopatra in 36 B.C., and appointed his new wife ruler of Egypt, Cyprus, Crete, and Cyria. This abuse of power so outraged the Roman Senate that they denounced him a traitor. After losing a major battle at sea, Antony and Cleopatra were forced to flee to Egypt in 31 B.C. In desperation, Cleopatra spread rumors of her own suicide. Antony, unaware of her plan, stabbed himself to death. When Cleopatra heard of this, she took her own life by inducing a poisonous snake to bite her.