bgr_493969 - AIOLIS - LESBOS ISLAND - MYTILENE Hecté

Aeolis - Lesbos - MYTILENE

(Ve - fourth century BC)

The island of Lesbos is located opposite the western coast of Asia Minor, at the entrance of the Gulf of Adramyteion at the mouth of the Hellespont. Mytilene, located on the eastern side of the island facing the mainland, was the main city. Its important electrum coinage begin at the end of the sixth century or the early years of the fifth century BC The standard used is the phoçaïque with a stater of about 16.32 g. This electrum coinage ceases after the arrival of Alexander the Great in Asia Minor around 330 BC.