★ Herakles's Third Labor - Ceryneian Hind ★

PHRYGIA. Cotiaeum. Otacilia Severa (Augusta, 244-249). Ae.

Obv: M OTAKIΛIA CЄOVHPA CЄ.
Diademed and draped bust right.
Rev: ЄΠΙ Γ ΙΟΥΛ ΠΟΝΤΙΚΟΥ ΑΡΧΙЄΡЄΩϹ ΚΟΤΙΑЄΩΝ.
Herakles standing right, placing knee on back of the Ceryneian hind, holding it by antlers.

RPC VIII online - (unassigned; ID 20650); SNG Leypold 1639; BMC 85.

Herakles' third labor is closely related to Artemis, the capture alive of the golden-horned Ceryneian hind, which belonged to the goddess or, according to some sources, was the goddess herself. The hind fled relentlessly, causing those who even glimpsed her to have the fatal desire to pursue her, even beyond the known places and into the lands of no return. This pursuit in fact drags Herakles as far as the borders of the underworld, to the garden of the Hesperides, the guardian goddesses of the golden apple tree. Only here the hero manages to reach the hind and capture her.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 5.39 g.
Diameter: 23 mm.