Introduction
In the ancient world, shields were indispensable tools of warfare, coming in various sizes and adorned with intricate designs. Their prominence extended beyond battlefields and into the realm of coinage, where they became a recurring motif. Today, shields depicted on ancient coins form a fascinating niche in numismatics, particularly those associated with the Macedonian army.
The Macedonian Shield in Warfare and Coinage
Under Alexander the Great (336–323 B.C.), Macedonian soldiers carried lightweight, circular shields, typically depicted on coins with a central design (tondo) surrounded by smaller decorative elements. These peripheral designs, often appearing as crescents due to the shield’s curvature, typically featured stars or pellets. The standard shield size varied: pikemen wielded smaller versions around 24 inches in diameter, while hoplites carried larger ones measuring approximately 34 inches across.
Depictions of Macedonian Shields on Coins
Macedonian shields frequently appeared on coinage issued by various rulers and city-states, but most notably on those of the Kingdom of Macedon. While the periphery remained relatively consistent in design, the central emblem varied significantly.
Macedonian Silver Tetradrachms
Four major series of silver tetradrachms prominently featured the Macedonian shield:
Antigonus II Gonatas (277–239 B.C.): These coins bore the image of the god Pan at the shield’s center. Pan, depicted with goat horns and a goat skin, was often accompanied by a hunting stick (lagobolon).
Philip V (221–179 B.C.): His coins displayed the head of the hero Perseus, often alongside a harpa, a uniquely shaped sword. Some representations may have been stylized portraits of the king himself.
Roman-Era Issues (167–148 B.C.): Following Macedon’s fall to Rome, tetradrachms featured Artemis, draped and adorned with a bow and quiver. The first series (circa 167–148 B.C.) was widely minted, while a second, rarer issue (circa 148–147 B.C.) may have coincided with a Roman response to rebellion.
Macedonian Tetrobols and Their Unique Designs
Silver tetrobols, struck between the 180s and 160s B.C. under Philip V and his successor Perseus (179–168 B.C.), also displayed Macedonian shields:
One variety featured a club, sometimes alone but often intersecting the inscription “MAKE,” an abbreviation for Macedon.
Another bore a “whirl” motif—four or six curved rays emanating from a central pellet. This symbol, a variation of the Macedonian sunburst, also appeared on coins from Bottiaei and on bronzes of Alexander III and Philip V.
Macedonian Shields on Bronze Coinage
The most diverse shield designs appeared on bronze coinage, particularly:
Half-unit and quarter-unit bronzes: Primarily issued under Alexander III and his successors, these coins typically featured a crested Macedonian helmet on the reverse.
Central shield motifs: Simple designs included stars, pellets, and whirl patterns, while more elaborate versions depicted torches, clubs, double-headed axes, thunderbolts, and caducei (Hermes’ staff with entwined serpents).
The Aegis Shield: One of the most striking varieties showcased the aegis, the mythical protective amulet of Athena and Zeus, adorned with the head of Medusa. This design, evoking divine protection, was used by rulers to assert legitimacy.
Heracles and Monograms: Some bronzes featured the face of Heracles (Hercules) wearing the Nemean lion’s scalp, while others displayed monograms symbolizing Macedon or its rulers.
Shields Beyond Macedon: Influence on Seleucid Coinage
The legacy of Macedonian shields extended to the Seleucid Empire, where four Seleucid kings, descendants of Macedonian royalty, incorporated them into their coinage. Seleucid bronzes frequently depicted shields adorned with gorgons or anchors. A rare series from Alexandria by Issus (circa 160s B.C.) featured the radiate-crowned portrait of King Antiochus IV (175–164 B.C.) at the shield’s center.
An Innovative Shield Design from Mylasa
Perhaps the most inventive Macedonian shield motif appeared on small bronze coins from Mylasa, a city in Caria (southeastern Asia Minor). These coins depicted three stacked shields with spearheads, creating a unique and visually compelling arrangement. They bore the name Eupolemus, suggesting they were struck under an officer of that name around 315–314 B.C., during his service for King Cassander (316–297 B.C.).
Conclusion
The depiction of Macedonian shields on ancient coins offers insight into the military and artistic traditions of the era. These shields not only symbolized protection and strength but also served as powerful political statements, reinforcing the authority of kings and connecting them to the might of their armies. As a numismatic theme, Macedonian shield coinage remains an enduring testament to the rich history of warfare, symbolism, and artistic expression in the ancient world.
