Thessaly, Larissa. Circa 365-356 BC. AR Drachm (6.08 g)

$2,500.00

Thessaly, Larissa. Circa 365-356 BC. AR Drachm (6.08 g). Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly left, with hair in ampyx / Horse standing right, preparing to lie down. Lorber, Hoard, Group L-II, 31 (same dies); BCD Thessaly II 315; HGC 4, 454 corr. (illustrations for 453 and 454 switched). Almost uncirculated with some luster remaining and some light iridescent toning.

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Larissa (/ləˈrɪsə/; Greek: Λάρισα, Lárisa, pronounced [ˈlarisa] ^ⓘ) is the capital and largest city of the Thessaly region in Greece. It is the fifth-most populous city in Greece with a population of 148,562 in the city proper, according to the 2021 census.^[2] It is also capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transport hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos, the cities of Thessaloniki and Athens. The municipality of Larissa has 164,095 inhabitants, while the regional unit of Larissa reached a population of 268,963 (in 2021^[update]).^[2]

Legend has it that Achilles was born here. Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine", died here. Today, Larissa is an important commercial, transportation, educational, agricultural and industrial centre of Greece. The city straddles the Pineios river and N.-NE. of the city are the Mount Olympus and Mount Kissavos.

According to Greek mythology it is said that the city was founded by Acrisius, who was killed accidentally by his grandson, Perseus.^[3] There lived Peleus, the hero beloved by the gods, and his son Achilles.