Syedra (AD 253-268) AE 32 - Gallienus

Gallienus, 253-268 AD. AE32 - 11 Assaria (18.98g). AVT KAI PO LIK GALLIHNOC CEB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; IA in right field / CVEDREWN, Judgment of Ares -- Ares walking left between Dike and Hermes. Near EF, dark green patina. Ex Leu 30 (4/1982), lot 447.

Ares slew Halirrhothios, son of Poseidon, for assaulting Ares' daughter, Alcippe. The site where Ares came before the gods for judgement, escorted by Dike (Justice) and the herald Hermes, became the Areopagus (Hill of Ares) in Athens, the location of the Athenian law courts. Ares was absolved of murder. It is unknown why this event had such import for Syedra, but the scene appears frequently on its 3rd century coinage.