Helios-Sun God ~ Ancient Greek Rhodes Silver Tetradrachm - Short History

The city-state of Rhodes was created on the 5th BC century, when the three cities of Lindos, Kamiros and Ialisos, revolting against the Athenians, united to form one territory.

Rhodes, a new city, that took the name from the island of Rhodes, became the federal capital of this territory.

After that, all coins of the region, were stuck in the name of the Rhodians.

Since Rhodes became famous for its roses, rose became the emblem of the city, and it was depicted on the reverse side of the coins minted in Rhodes.

God Helios, the Sun god, identified with the God Apollo is depicted radiating in this earlier version of Rhodian tetradrachms.

The city of Rhodes developed into one of the most important mints of the entire Eastern Mediterranean until the period of the Roman domination at 43 BC.