THRACE. Philippopolis. Elagabalus, 218-222. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 29 mm, 16.86 g, 1 h). AYT K M AYPH ANTΩNEINOC Laureate and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus to right, seen from behind. Rev. MHTPOΠΟΛEΩC ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΠΟΛE/ΩC NEΩKO/POY Two nude wrestlers facing each other and grappling. RPC VI.1 online 557. Varbanov -. Varbanov, Philippopolis, XVII.19.2. Extremely rare, apparently the third and by far the finest known example. Minor traces of corrosion, otherwise, very fine.



In the Greek cultural world, sports was considered a most noble pastime, and wrestling was a particularly beloved discipline. The two main ways to beat one's opponent were to grab and lift him by the waist, or to grab his wrist to pull him off-balance, as shown on the reverse of this interesting issue.