Coins of the Itureans: A Numismatic Window into Hellenistic Lebanon

The numismatic evidence from the Iturean dynasty provides crucial insights into their political organization, cultural identity, and economic relationships during the Late Hellenistic and Early Roman periods. The majority of known Iturean coins were struck at their capital of Chalcis (today’s Anjar) in the Beqaa Valley, with additional mints possibly operating at other administrative centers.

The Iturean Dynasty and their Coins

An Iturean coin depicting Zeus and the Dioscori.

The earliest identifiable Iturean coins date to the reign of Ptolemy son of Mennaeus (85-40 BCE), who established a dynasty at Chalcis. His coins, all bronze denominations, typically feature Hellenistic artistic conventions, with Greek inscriptions identifying him as “Ptolemy the Tetrarch.” The images include

various Hellenistic and local symbols, including Zeus, the Dioscuri, Artemis, Nike, Hermes, a caduceus, and an eagle. These emblems, demonstrate the dynasty’s integration into broader Hellenistic cultural and economic networks.

Lysanias, Ptolemy’s son and successor (40-36 BCE), continued the monetary tradition. His coins maintain similar artistic and technical standards, though with his own portrait and titles. The images in life again Hellenistic images such as Nike, cornucopiae, and Athena Pallas.

An Iturean coin depicting Zenodorus and Athena Pallas.

In 30 BCE Zenodorus, the last Iturean king, minted another series of coins bearing his own portrait as well as of Octavian and images of Zeus and Athena Parthenos.

After the Roman reorganization of the territory under Herod the Great and his successors, the distinct Iturean coinage tradition ended.

Characteristics of the Iturean Coins

An Iturean coin depicting Artemis and Nike.

The monetary system appears to have been based on the prevalent Hellenistic standards of the region, facilitating trade with neighboring territories.

The Greek legends on all Iturean coins reveal how the Iturean rulers presented themselves officially as legitimate Hellenistic dynasts, despite Roman authors often characterizing them as tribal chieftains or bandits. The iconography chosen for these coins also reveals a careful balance between local traditions and wider Hellenistic cultural norms.

Iturean Coins and their Religion

Little is known about the Iturean religion, but is also possible that the Iturean coins reflect a triad of Iturean deities – Zeus, Artemis and Hermes. Moreover, as later a Heliopolitian triad of Roman deities flourished in the same region (Jupiter, Aphrodite and Hermes), it is possible that they originated from the Iturean cult.