Tarsos (BC 425-400) Stater - Syennesis III

ca 425-400 BC. AR Stater (10.46g). Satrap on horseback galloping right / Naked hoplite kneeling left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, holding spear in right hand, large round shield decorated with gorgoneion in left, 'TRZ' in Aramaic to right. Toned VF, light porosity.

The hereditary kings of Cilicia were invested with the name Syennesis, a royal title more than an actual name. Syennesis III was probably the grandson of Syennesis II, one of the commanders in the fleet of Xerxes, and married a woman named Epyaxa. In 401 BC, the couple supported the revolt of Cyrus II against his brother Artaxerxes II. In return for the assistance, including a body of troops commanded by his son which he offered to Cyrus, Syennesis was himself richly rewarded with gifts and honors. At the same time, though, he sent his other son to Artaxerxes, so that whatever the outcome he might be with the winning side. Syennesis' actions, however, did little to save Cilicia's independence; after 400 BC, it became a satrapy of the Persian Empire.