TROAS. Ilium. Caracalla, 198-217. Triassarion (?) (Bronze, 28 mm, 16.01 g, 6 h). AY K M AYΡ ANTΩNINOC Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right, seen from behind. Rev. IΛIEΩN ЄΚΤΩΡ HeKtor, on the right, helmeted and in military attire, standing left, holding patera in his right hand and spear and shield with his left; to left, statue of Athena Ilias standing right on column. Bellinger T254 var. BMC 87. RPC V.2 online ID 28309. Very rare. Somewhat rough, otherwise, nearly very fine.



This interesting bronze depicts Hektor, the greatest warrior of the Trojans. It underscores the importance of Ilium as the site of the most famous war in mythology. However, since Hektor had been a companion of Aeneas, the type also forges a connection between the city and its Roman overlords. Rome’s support for Ilium dates back at least to the Roman–Syrian War of 192-188 BC, when the city warmly welcomed an expeditionary force led by the Scipios, which had crossed the Dardanelles en route to confront Antiochos III. Eager to emphasize their shared ancestry with the Romans, the Trojans ultimately received generous rewards after the Roman victory over the Seleucids at Magnesia in 190/189 BC.