Participation in the exhibition “Chaeronea, 2 August 338 BC”

1 Theban coin of major importance

The Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection is participating in the exhibition “Chaeronea, 2 August 338 BC: A day that changed the world ”:

• 1 silver stater of the Boeotian League, 4th century BCE

The legend on the coin reads ΕΠ ΠΑ, which are Theban General Epaminondas’ initials.

Epaminondas: A charismatic leader

The coin was issued when Epaminondas was the Boeotarch, i.e. chief officer of the Boeotian League. As a leader, he led Thebes out of Spartan subjugation and converted it into a powerful city-state.

Epaminondas rightly became one of the most celebrated leaders of antiquity. When the Battle of Chaeronea took place, he was no longer alive. However, his legacy inspired Theagenes, the then leader of the Theban army, to battle.

The coinage of Boeotia

Thebes gained a prominent position in the Greek political scene and this was also reflected in its coinage. The most important issue of the Boeotian League in the 4th century BCE were the Theban staters bearing the names of their rulers.

The Battle of Chaeronea: An event that changed the course of history

The exhibition “Chaeronea, 2 August 338 BC: A day that changed the world” presents the historic day when Alexander the Great made his striking debut in the political and military scene.

The Battle of Chaeronea between the Macedonian army of Philip II and the allied Athenians and Thebans made Macedonia the dominant force in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean under the rule of Phillip II.

The then 18-year-old Alexander contributed decisively to the defeat of the Sacred Band of Thebes. Later on he would come to be one of the key players in global history.

The contributors

The exhibition is part of a new series of exhibitions on “Human Histories” by the Museum of Cycladic Art. The Museum curators are:

• Dr Panagiotis Iosif
• Dr Ioannis Fappas