The Belgians brought for the first time in Athens, ancient Greek coins from the collection of the Royal Library of Belgium on the occasion of taking over the presidency of the European Union from their country during the second half of 2010.
| Silenus on one side of the coin ... |
Their leader was Silenus, who was the god Dionysus, educate and serve as a prophet to the people, but only after they were intoxicated by. The Silenus usually entertained Dionysus playing music and dancing with Maenads, while the legend had fought with Dionysus against the Giants.
Among the currencies of the collection, which will be exhibited in the Numismatic Museum , is a tetradrachm of Mount Etna, which is a project of particular aesthetic, though anonymous engraver. Silenus bearing performance on one side and Jupiter holding thunderbolt winged to another. The two sides of the coin interact through symbols that reflect the myths of Sicily and indicate the nature of the area. .
Periodic report on "all that glitters ... Belgian contribution to the Greek currency, "organized by the Belgian Embassy in Athens, the Royal Library of Belgium, the Belgian School of Athens and the Numismatic Museum in Athens.
| ... And Zeus with lightning on the other |
This report will highlight the archaeological activity of the Belgian School of Athens, which explores the excavation Thorikos in Attica. This brings the monetary treasure that was found there ,in 1969 and kept at the Numismatic Museum in Athens. Includes mainly silver and gold Athenian tetradrachms quintals.
They can co exposed to another treasure from the Tell el-Maskhuta Egypt (Royal Library of Belgium), consisting of "imitation" Athenian tetradrachms. The origin of the treasure of Tell el-Maskhuta and the number of currencies included, show the extent of proliferation of Athenian coins in the eastern Mediterranean.
