Apameia (AD 193-211) AE 35 - Septimius Severus

Septimius Severus, 193-211 AD. AE35 (22.76g). ΑΥΤ Κ Λ CЄΠΤ - CЄΟΥΗΡΟC ΠЄΡ-ΤΙ, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right / ЄPI AGWNOQ-î-T-OU ARTî MA/Γ / APAMЄIΩN, Athena, wearing long chiton and peplos, seated left on rock, shield at her side, helmeted head turned right, playing double aulos and checking her image reflected in the water; she is watched by Marsyas, nude, hidden behind rock in upper left field. Very rare and interesting mythological representation. Dark, olive patina.

Athena was believed to have invented the aulos (double pipe). Hera and Aphrodite laughed when Athena played her pipes because her puffed cheeks distorted her face. Suspicious Athena decided to see for herself by observing her reflection in a river as she played. Upon seeing the unflattering result, she discarded the pipes, which were then picked up by Marsyas; Marsyas later challenged Apollo to a contest, matching his pipes with Apollo's lyre. Apollo won and flayed Marsyas as his punishment.