Antigones II was a powerful ruler who solidified the position of the Antigonid dynasty in Macedon after a long period defined by anarchy and chaos. His father was Demetrius Poliorcetes, andhis mother was Phila, the daughter of Antipater.
Following the death of his father in 285 BC, Antigones warred with Lysimachus, Pyrrhus and against several internal rebellions, but managed to remain King of Macedonia.
Except for a short period when he defeated a Gallic invasion, Antigonus was not a heroic or successful military leader. His skills were mainly political. He preferred to rely on cunning, patience, and persistence to achieve his goals. While more brilliant leaders, like his father Demetrius and his neighbour Pyrrhus, aimed higher and fell lower, Antigonus achieved a measure of security.
In 239 BC, Antigonus died at the age of 80 and left his kingdom to his son Demetrius II, who was to reign for the next 10 years.
Following the death of his father in 285 BC, Antigones warred with Lysimachus, Pyrrhus and against several internal rebellions, but managed to remain King of Macedonia.
Except for a short period when he defeated a Gallic invasion, Antigonus was not a heroic or successful military leader. His skills were mainly political. He preferred to rely on cunning, patience, and persistence to achieve his goals. While more brilliant leaders, like his father Demetrius and his neighbour Pyrrhus, aimed higher and fell lower, Antigonus achieved a measure of security.
In 239 BC, Antigonus died at the age of 80 and left his kingdom to his son Demetrius II, who was to reign for the next 10 years.
Epithet: Gonatas ()
Obverse: head of young Heracles in lion skin right
Reverse: rider on horse right; B / A
Diameter:
16 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.75 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.75 g
in the name of Alexander III
SGCV II 6787
(2)
Antigones II
Obverse: head of Athena with corinthian helmet right
Reverse: Pan erecting trophy; monograms: B upleft / A right / E left / (ANT) below (mirror N - usually is normal)
Diameter:
16 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.1 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.1 g
No notes for this coin
SNG Cop 1205 ff var
(3)
Antigones II
An
AE
Tetrachalkon
struck 277-239 BC
in
Macedonia
Obverse: head of Athena wearing crested Corinthin helmet right
Reverse: Pan standing right, erecting trophy; B / K / Φ _ Λ // (ANT)
Diameter:
15 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.1 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.1 g
No notes for this coin
AMNG 187, 6 Tf. 34,4, SNG Cop. 1209.
(4)
Antigones II
An
AR
Tetradrachm
struck 274/1-260/55 BC
in
Amphipolis
Obverse: head of horned Pan left, lagobolon over shoulder, within double solid circle on boss of a Macedonian shield ornamented around the rim with 7 stars within double crescents
Reverse: Athena Alkidemos striding left, aegis-shield on left arm, brandishing thunderbolt in right hand, wearing helmet and long chiton; facing Macedonian helmet with transverse crest and ear-flaps in field; BAΣIΛEΩΣ // ANTIΓONOY / TI
Diameter:
30 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 17.2 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 17.2 g
No notes for this coin
SNG Ashmolean 3260; Mathisen p. 114; SNG Alpha Bank 983