Syracuse Sicily 380 BC Copper Drachma Very rare

  
Helmeted head of Athena facing left, wearing the laurel-crowned Corinthian helmet. During the Peloponnesian War 431-404 BC, Syracuse had to face on its own territory the formidable Athenian expedition led from 415 BC by Alcibiades and Nicias. After the recall of the former, the Athenian fleet was sunk in the port of Syracuse and the Athenians were defeated at the Assinaros in 413 BC. Nicias was put to death and the survivors of the Athenian army were sentenced to forced labor in the stone quarries (latomies). In 409 BC, the Carthaginians invaded the island again and seized Selinunte and Himera, then Agrigento in 405 BC. Dionysius of Syracuse seized power and repelled the invaders in 397 BC. The reign of Dionysius the Elder lasted another thirty years and was succeeded by Timoleon.