The Insurrection of Bassus

411, Lot: 315. Estimate $100. Sold for $240. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch. temp. Q. Caecilius Bassus. Proconsul, 57-55 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 15.40 g, 12h). In the name and types of the Seleucid king Philip I Philadelphus. Dated year 4 of the Caesarean Era (46/5 BC). Diademed head of Philip I right within fillet border / Zeus Nikephoros seated left; • to right of Nike’s head, monograms to inner left and below throne, ∆ and winged thunderbolt in exergue; all within wreath. McAlee 5a; Prieur 5; RPC I 4128; SC 2491.2a; HGC 9, 1360. Good VF, toned.

Struck during the time of Q. Caecilius Bassus’ governorship. Bassus, a supporter of Pompey, had led an insurrection against Sextus Pompey, cousin of Julius Caesar and governor of Syria since 48 BC. For two years he fought off attacks from enemy forces, even calling on the Parthians for assistance (Dio 27.5), before finally falling to Cassius, one of the assassins of Caesar.