HERAKLES wrestling the Nemean Lion/ATHENA and similar items

Ancient Greek Coinage CALABRIA Tarentum Ca. 380-325 BC Silver Diobol 11.8mm, 1.14gm. Very Small Coin--a Dime is 17.9mm Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena right, with helmet decorated with Skylla Reverse: Herakles kneeling, holding club, strangling the Nemean Lion. Ref. HN Italy 911; Vlasto 1297. Choice VF. Nicer in hand~Small coin shown greatly enlarged. Attractive contrasting cameo effect toning of reverse--appears to be some of the original "find" patina-- little gem! Right Click picture to enlarge image size. Ancient Greek Coinage CALABRIA Tarentum c. 325-280 BC Silver Diobol 11.5mm, 1.09gm. Very Small Coin--a Dime is 17.9mm Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena right, with helmet with Skylla hurling a rock. Reverse: depicts the first of the Twelve labors of Herakles ~ Herakles kneeling on right knee, strangling the Nemean Lion with both hands; Letter A above Lion. Ref. Vlasto 1315; HNItaly 976. XF obverse / Good Very Fine Reverse. Nicer in hand! ~ Fine Style. Scarce Variant with Letter A above lion. Small coin shown greatly enlarged. Attractive little gem! The depiction of Herakles on the reverse of this coin places the hero in a typical fighting stance of the Greek martial discipline Pankration, or Pammachon (total combat) as it was earlier known. Indeed, this fighting style was said to have been the invention of Herakles and Theseus as a result of their using both wresting and boxing in their encounters with opponents. The stance portrayed on this coin is paralleled on an Attic black-figure vase in the British Museum depicting two competitors, one in a choke hold similar to that of the lion here. The composition of this deisgn is very deliberate - as the lion leaps forwards, Herakles who had been facing the lion, turns his body sideways. The myths tell us that Herakles had first stunned the beast with his club, and now he dodges the lion's bite and reaches his right arm around its head to place it in a choke hold. The Twelve Labors of Hercules The Twelve Labors of Herakles is a myth about the labors that Herakles (Hercules) had to perform as a part of his sentence after killing his own children. Being one of the offsprings of Zeus? affairs, Hercules has always been subject of Hera?s hatred. Hera tried to kill Hercules many times throughout his adventures or at the very least made everything in her power to torture him. It was one of those times when Hera made Hercules lose his mind temporarily and Hercules killed his own children during this craze. After a short while he was awakened from his state of madness and realized what he did in great sorrow and regret. He sought guidance from Apollo and was told by Apollo?s oracle that his punishment would be serving his cousin and archenemy, Eurystheus, the king of Mycenae and Tiryns for twelve years. Hercules was assigned to perform twelve labors/tasks which were considered almost impossible to be fulfilled. However, Hercules managed to perform these labors successfully thanks to the help he got from Athena and Hermes. Having performed these labors was, indeed, the reason why Hercules has been rewarded with immortality in the end. First Labor: Killing the Nemean Lion The first labor Eurystheus assigned Hercules to was slaying the Nemean Lion and bringing back his skin. The Nemean lion was a very powerful beast born from Typhon and Echidna. It was a beast that could only be harmed by human hand and no other weapon could hurt it. Hercules realized that the beast was invulnerable after shooting him with an arrow and he went into the cave the beast lived in, held his neck tight and choked the Nemean Lion to the death. Hercules brought back the lion?s skin to Eurystheus and set on to fulfill his second task. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OUR GUARANTEE: All illustrations are of the actual item offered. The authenticity of all pieces is fully guaranteed. Any item ever shown otherwise may be returned unaltered for full refund less shipping. If any item purchased is not to your satisfaction you may return it unaltered within 30 days of purchase for a full refund less shipping. We also guarantee absolute discretion and confidentiality in all transactions. Images are not actual size ~ Please see description for actual measurements.