Stater from Thebes (Boeotia), Reverse

In the 4th century BC, more precisely between 395 and 338 at the latest, the city of Thebes, located in the central Greek region of Boeotia, minted silver staters with the depiction of a magnificent vessel on the reverse. This is a volute krater, so named because of the shape of the handles, a mixing vessel for water and wine, which was used in late Classical times primarily as a burial gift or as a valuable votive offering to the gods. The krater is here clearly to be understood as a symbol for Dionysus, the divine son of the Theban king's daughter Semele. He was particularly revered in the city and was depicted on coins as early as the 5th century BC. The front of the stater shows a shield as a sign of the Boeotian League. The various name abbreviations on the backs of the coins are interesting, as these can be partially associated with individuals from the history of Thebes recorded in written sources.

Obverse: Boeotian shield. Reverse: HIKE. Volute crater with ivy leaf on each handle and club above.