(Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by J.K.
Rowling)
in Ancient Greek (translation by Andrew Wilson).
Image: Ajax the Less. 400-338 BCE.
Silver Aeginetic stater from Opuntian Locris (on the Aegean coast north
of Phocis, from the Euboean Strait to Thermopylae). Reverse of coin, showing
the hero Ajax son of Oileus advancing right; he is naked but armed with
helmet, sword and sield, the inside of which is decorated with a serpent.
Behind Ajax, two spears on the ground around, OONTIN = of the Opuntians.
According to the Iliad, this Ajax brought 40 ships to Troy. Because of his
violation of Cassandra in Athena’s sanctuary therre, Athena’s wrath fell
on the Opuntian Locrians. Ajax died at sea; his countrymen instituted rites
to honor their former leader. [from: Norman Davis, Greek Coins and Cities:
Illustrated from the Collection at the Seattle Art Museum. London, 1967.]
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