Sicily, Syracuse AU Dekadrachm or 50 Litrai – Tyrant Agathokles

Ancient Greek – Gold Dekadrachm or 50 Litra of Sicily, Syracuse

Minted under Tyrant Agathokles

Obv: Laureate head of Apollo to left.

Rev: ΣYP-A-KO-ΣIΩN, Charioteer driving fast biga to right, holding reins in his left hand and kentron in his right; below, triskeles running right.

circa 317 – 310 BC. · Sicily, Syracuse · HGC 2, 1276

Die Match with SNG München 1191.

4.3g · 16mm

Agathokles of Syracuse (361–289 BCE) was a tyrant and later self-declared king of Sicily, known for his ruthless ambition and military skill. Born in Thermae to a potter, he rose from humble origins to seize power in Syracuse around 317 BCE by orchestrating a violent coup and eliminating his political rivals. Agathokles engaged in a long and bitter conflict with Carthage, culminating in his daring invasion of North Africa in 310 BCE, though he ultimately failed to conquer Carthage itself. Despite facing numerous revolts and betrayals, he managed to maintain control over much of Sicily and proclaimed himself King in 304 BCE. Agathokles’ reign was marked by both brutal repression and significant economic and military reforms, solidifying Syracuse as a major power in the Mediterranean. He died in 289 BCE, reportedly poisoned by his own grandson, leaving a legacy of both fear and admiration.