A Numismatic Riddle from Arykanda

The God of the Water Spring

Bibliographic Data

ID19498121
AuthorsAhmet Tolga TEK (0000-0002-3893-6256, Anadolu University), Hacer SANCAKTAR (0000-0003-3268-7890, Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi)
Year2020
Issue23
Pages312-340
Publication date2020-11-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueADALYA (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1301-2746 • E-ISSN: 3108-5008
PublisherAdalya, Koc University (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.47589/adalya.837983
OpenAlexW3155637836
LanguageEN
References cited23

Among the coin types minted for Arykanda under Emperor Gordianus III, there is a new reverse type depicting Kakasbos wearing military attire and a Thracian helmet. His club is lowered, and he is holding the reins of his horse which stands next to him. On Kakasbos’s right the horse with its right front hoof is striking a rock from which water flows. The iconography is new for Kakasbos and has never been seen before. In fact, he is always shown riding his horse with his club raised to strike. This article explains why this is an image of Kakasbos and not some other deity. It uses other archaeological finds - epigraphic and iconographic - found during the excavations at Arykanda. The authors also identify the water source meant on the coin type and the cult area that existed next to it at Suyun Gözü, the main source of the Arykandos River

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Art history · Club · Cult · Emperor · Geography · Hoof · Iconography · Ancient Near East History · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Eurasian Exchange Networks · History · Geology