NUDE, ITHYPHALLIC SATYR CARRY PROTESTING NYMPH. Stater A superb example, in lovely, robust and exhuberant arch Start Price USD 0.99 Current Price USD 511.51 Time Left - Bid Count 3 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, July 20, 2008 End Time Sunday, July 27, 2008 Location Vienna See more about 'NUDE, ITHYPHALLIC SATYR CARRY PROTESTING NYMPH. Stater' Description                    A superb example, in lovely, robust and exhuberant                                       archaic style                                                            Islands of Thrace. Thasos, circa 500 - 460 BC. AR Stater ( 8.38 gm.; 21 mm.).                        Obv.: Nude, ithyphallic satyr rushing to right in the archaic kneeling-running position, holding a nymph in his arms who raises her right arm in protest.                                                                                                               Rev.: Quadripartite incuse square.                                                                                                                          SNG Cop 1010-1012.                                                                                                                   Satyr balances a winecup on his erect penis on an Attic red-figured psykter, ca. 500-490 BC. In Greek mythology are a troop of male companions of Pan and Dionysus - ``satyresses`` were a late invention of poets— that roamed the woods and mountains. In mythology they are often associated with sex drive and vase-painters often portrayed them with uncontrollable erections.The satyrs' chief was called Silenus, a minor deity associated (like Hermes and Priapus) with fertility. These characters can be found in the only remaining satyr play  Cyclops by Euripedes and the fragments of Sophocles  `The Tracking Satyrs (Ichneutae). The satyr play was a lighthearted follow-up attached to the end of each trilogy of tragedies in Athenian festivals honoring Dionysus. These plays would take a lighthearted approach to the heavier subject matter of the tragedies in the series, featuring heroes speaking in tragic iambic verse and taking their situation seriously as to the flippant, irreverent and obscene remarks and antics of the satyrs. The groundbreaking tragic playwright Aeschylus is said to have been especially loved for his satyr plays, but none of them has survived.The island taking its name from one of the mythical sons of Poseidon, the earliest settlers in the 8th century BC were Phoenicians. Greek colonists later supplanted these peoples. The natural assets of the island were blessed indeed. Besides the prolific gold mines on the island, Thasos also had controlling interests in many of the silver mines on the Thracian mainland, opposite them. This allowed them to form and maintain a powerful navy and a substantial maritime industry. Exports from the island included quarried marble, nuts, and wine. Wine production was a major industry for the island. Their wine was dark, heavy, and famous for its rich bouquet. It was said to be one of the best, and most expensive of the ancient wines, and was exported in large sealed amphorae to as far afield as Susa (in Iran), Egypt, Magna Graecia, and the Black Sea area. The prevalence of Dionysian subjects for their coinage relates to the fact that Dionysius was one of the two chief gods worshiped on Thasos. The god's main sanctuary was atop Mt. Pangaeus, was not far from Thasos; his worship dominated the Thraco-Macedonian religion of the region. Additionally, the satyr abducting the struggling nymph on their wide ranging coinage may be in part a reference to the potency of their wines -- since the mythical satyrs had a reputation for becoming extremely uninhibited when drunk.Every item offered by VIVITE LAETI is unconditionally guaranteed to be genuine & authentic. Place a Bid!