Beschreibung:

Philip I Æ28 of Neapolis, Judaea. 244-249 CE. IMP C M IVL PHILIPPO P F AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right, wearing paludamentum / COL IVL NЄAPOL, Mt. Gerizim surmounted by temple complex; supported by eagle, standing facing, with head right and wings spread. Cf. SNG ANS 1024-5 (bust type, Philip II); BMC 116 var. (rev. legend). 16.20g, 28mm, 6h. About Very Fine. Mount Gerizim forms the southern peak of the valley in which the modern city Nablus (Biblical Shechem) is situated, standing opposite Mount Ebal to the north. According to Samaritan tradition it was the location chosen for the holy temple, as opposed to Jerusalem's Temple Mount, and the location of many notable events such as the sacrifice of his son Isaac by Abraham (Genesis 22:2). Deuteronomy (11:29) records Moses' direction to the Israelites in advance of their entry to the Promised Land, that "when the Lord your God has brought you into the land which you go to possess, that you shall put the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal". Under the Romans in the second century AD (perhaps during the reign of Hadrian), a temple to Zeus was erected on one of the peaks of Mount Gerizim, which is the subject of the present reverse type. The city of Neapolis, situated at the base of the mountain, produced several issues with the sanctuary as the focus of interest during this period, while the presence of the imperial eagle supporting the mountain, coupled with the figure of Marsyas, is symbolic of imperial favour towards this Eastern city.