COELESYRIA, Chalcis sub Libano. Octavian. 30-20 BC. Æ (20mm, 5.44 g, 12h). Zenodorus, tetrarch and archereus. Dated 282 SE (31/0 BC). Near VF.

Electronic Auction 609
Lot: 482. Estimated: $ 100

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 275. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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COELESYRIA, Chalcis sub Libano. Octavian. 30-20 BC. Æ (20mm, 5.44 g, 12h). Zenodorus, tetrarch and archereus. Dated 282 SE (31/0 BC). Bare head of Octavian right; L BΠΣ (date) to right / Bare head of Zenodoros left. Herman 16a; RPC I 4774; Sofaer 46-51. Earthen red-brown surfaces. Near VF.

Zenodorus was the son of Lysanias, tetrarch of Abila. Most of his territories had been seized by Augustus upon his father’s execution by Marc Antony, leaving him dissatisfied with his meager earnings, which led him to raid his own territories including the city of Damascus. The Damascenes turned to Rome for help which resulted in Augustus giving control of the Trachonitis region to his friend Herod the Great, who tasked him with restoring order to the region. Zenodorus, after only a few months under Herod’s reign, appealed to Augustus to sue Herod for excessive taxation and near martial law but could not sway the emperor. Zenodorus was forced to sell part of his lands only to realize these lands had already been confiscated by Augustus and given to Herod. Further enraged by Herod’s relationship with Augustus, and his decreasing wealth, he attempted one last insurrection at Gadara, attempting further charges against Herod, but Augustus stood by him. Zenodorus died soon after at Antioch, any lands still owned by him were immediately gifted to Herod as Roman colonies.

Closing Date and Time: 13 May 2026 at 12:40:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.