THESSALY. Pherai. Alexander, tyrant, 369-359 BC. Chalkous (Bronze, 14 mm, 2.76 g). Head of the youthful Jason to right, wearing petasos. Rev. [ΑΛΕΞ]ΑΝΔΡΟΥ Horse's lower leg with hoof to right. BCD Thessaly I, 1314 (same obverse die). HGC 4, 583. Rogers 520. Minor smoothing and with areas of weakness on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.


During the 370s to 360s, Pherai was ruled by a 'dynasty' of tyrants, all of whom died violently. Alexander rose to power after poisoning his brother (or his uncle, according to Xenophon) Polydoros, ruling with an iron fist, constantly seeking to control Thessaly and the neighboring kingdom of Macedonia, and even launching piratical raids on Attica. In 359 BC, however, he was also murdered by the brothers of his wife, Thebe, who lived in fear of her husband and hated Alexander's cruel and brutal character.