KINGS OF PERGAMON. Eumenes III (Aristonikos), usurper, 133-130 BC. Cistophorus (Silver, 28 mm, 12.38 g, 12 h), Stratonikeia, RY 4 = 131/0. Cista mystica from which snake coils; around, ivy wreath with fruits. Rev. ΣΤ-ΡΑ Two snakes coiled around a bow case; in their coils, ΒΑ - ΕΥ; on bow case, Δ; above, thunderbolt; to left, laureate head of Dionysos (?) to left; to right, laureate head of Zeus to right. Kleiner-Noe Series 4, 5a. E.S.G. Robinson: Cistophori in the Name of King Eumenes, in: NC 14/44 (1954), 14. Very rare. Slightly rough, otherwise, extremely fine.


This fascinating coin was struck by Eumenes III, originally named Aristonikos, who made a bid for the Pergamene throne after Attalos III had bequeathed the kingdom to the Romans in 133 BC. Eumenes claimed to be a brother of the latter and dismissed Rome's claims, quickly setting about conquering the area. Though he managed to subdue several cities, he failed to take Pergamon and eventually the Roman Senate sent the consul, Marcus Perperna, to quell the uprising. Eumenes was taken to Rome alive in 129 BC, and as was the custom for captured foreign leaders, he was paraded through the city and then executed by strangulation.