Larissa Coin Horse Pendant

The kingdom of Thessaly occupied territory in the northern part of mainland Greece. Larissa was the capital. The Thessalians were known as expert horse breeders and were highly regarded as cavalry troops. The Thessalian cavalry formed elite troops in the armies of Philip II and Alexander III (the Great) of Macedon, with whom they were closely allied. The bull-wrestler on the reverse side of the coin refers to an ancient test of strength and was a precursor to the sacrifice of the bull. The modern tradition of bull-fighting in Mediterranean cultures has grown out of this ancient contest.

Thessaly, Larissa, Silver Drachm, 350 to 325 B.C., Obverse: Nude Youth Wrestling a Bull; Reverse: Prancing Horse, 22 KY High Desert Mounting Designed by Valerie Jean Fairchild