2017-04-13 Thu

Lokrians lived in Opus - a small territory in Greece that was surrounded by powerful states. They produced many beautiful ancient greek coins. After Peace of Antalkidas in 387 BCE, Mercenaries brought a lot of silver along. Syracusian coins were offered as salary which later became a major part of their coinage. Lokris probably minted new coins to meet military expenses that emerged during their conflicts against Phokis in the Third Sacred War.

The obverse of the 12.0 g 350-340 BCE Lokris, Lokri Opuntii Silver Stater is inspired from Syracusian Arethusa heads of Euainetos. It features the Head of Demeter, the mother of Persephone wearing a wreath of grain ears, single-pendant earring and necklace. The reverse depicts Ajax moving ahead, holding sword and shield with palmette inside, a gryphon and broken spear on the ground.

The Lokrian Ajax played a major role in Homer's Iliad. He mostly fought with the name Ajax the Great and led 40 ships to Troy. He was a short arrogant Greek hero and was a great javelin thrower. It is believed that because of his arrogance he was killed by gods.

After Troy was captured, the king's daughter Cassandra fled to the Temple of Athena for protection. Ajax the Lesser dragged her from the temple against the principles of religion breaking the statue in the process.

Athena attacked the fleet of the Greeks with a storm and personally sank Ajax's own ship with a thunderbolt but survived by holding on to a rock. Poseidon split the rock with his trident and Ajax drowned. The remaining Opuntians reached home safely.

Lokrians had immense faith in their Ajax and one place was always left open for him in the battle as a mark of respect. They also launched a ship every year with black sails carrying gifts, which they burnt.