Nero - Hades abducts Persephone INTERSTING! (AP2174)

PHRYGIA. Hierapolis. Nero, 54-68. Assarion (Bronze, 18 mm, 6.00 g, 12 h), Magytes, magistrate. NEPΩN KAIΣAP Bare-headed and draped bust of Nero to right; to right, countermark: Radiate head of Helios right within circular incuse. Rev. MAΓYTHΣ NEΩTEPOΣ IEPAΠOΛEITΩN Hades in galloping biga right, carrying off struggling Persephone who raises hands in protest. RPC I 2982. For countermark: Howgego 11. Very fine.

Hades fell in love with Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, and asked Zeus for permission to marry her. Zeus feared to offend his eldest brother by a downright refusal, but knew also that Demeter would not forgive him if Persephone were committed to the underworld. Zeus "therefore answered politically that he could neither give nor withhold his consent." This emboldened Hades to abduct Persephone, as she was picking flowers in a meadow, and carry her away in his horse-drawn chariot to the underworld.