CISTOPHORUS Meaning and
Definition
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A cistophorus is a type of ancient Greek silver coin that was circulated during the Hellenistic period. The term "cistophorus" is derived from the Greek words "kiste," meaning a small box or chest, and "phoros," meaning to bear or to carry. The name reflects the principal imagery found on the coins, namely the depiction of a cista mystica, a basket or chest used in the secret religious ceremonies of the cult of Dionysus.
Cistophori were first issued by the Pergamon Kingdom in the late 2nd century BCE, and they gained widespread popularity throughout the region. The coins typically weigh around 12.5 grams and are characterized by the portrayal of a serpent emerging from the cista mystica on the obverse side. The reverse side often features symbols associated with Dionysus, such as a thyrsus, grape vine, or mask.
Due to the popularity of the cult of Dionysus and the significance of his symbolism, cistophori were widely accepted across the Hellenistic world as a form of currency. They were particularly prevalent in Greece, Asia Minor, and surrounding territories. The value of the coins varied over time, but they generally held a higher value than other contemporary silver coins.
Today, cistophori coins are highly sought after by collectors and historians alike, as they provide valuable insights into the religious beliefs, cultural practices, and economic systems of the Hellenistic era. They serve as a tangible link to the past, shedding light on the artistic and symbolic representations of Dionysus and the cult's influence on society.
Common Misspellings for CISTOPHORUS
- xistophorus
- vistophorus
- fistophorus
- distophorus
- custophorus
- cjstophorus
- ckstophorus
- costophorus
- c9stophorus
- c8stophorus
- ciatophorus
- ciztophorus
- cixtophorus
- cidtophorus
- cietophorus
- ciwtophorus
- cisrophorus
- cisfophorus
- cisgophorus
- cisyophorus
Etymology of CISTOPHORUS
The word "cistophorus" has its roots in the ancient Greek language. It is derived from two Greek words: "kistē" (κίστη), which means "chest" or "basket", and "pherein" (φέρειν), which means "to carry" or "to bear". In ancient Greece, the cistophorus was a coin that depicted a basket used in the Eleusinian Mysteries, a religious initiation ceremony dedicated to the goddesses Demeter and Persephone. The coin was originally issued in the city of Pergamon in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) and later by other cities like Ephesus and Tralles. The term "cistophorus" is now commonly used to refer to these ancient coins.
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