v55_0039 - IONIA - EPHESO Tétradrachme

IONIA - EPHESUS

(390-330 BC)

Located at the mouth of the Caÿster on the coast of Asia Minor, Ephesus was famous for its temple dedicated to Artemis (Artemision) which could be dated, thanks to the votive deposit of construction, from the second half of the 7th century. The city suffered the Persian yoke. After the naval battle of Mycale in 479 BC, it moved closer to Athens and joined the Attico-Delian league from 477 BC. It broke with Athens after the disaster of Syracuse in 415 BC In 407 AC, Lysander set up his headquarters at Ephesus and won the victory of Aegos-Potamos over the Athenians in 404 AC. Spartan domination ceased after Conon's victory at Cnide in 394 BC. The peace of Antalcidas in 387 BC consecrated the city's return to Persian orbit. This domination lasted until 338 BC, when the city rose under the leadership of Philip II of Macedonia. After Granicus in 334 BC, the city rallied to Alexander after driving out the Persian garrison.