#satrap

“Vrtra, noble servant of Thavnair, youngest of the Brood: how dost thou shimmer! In every form dazzling, regal, bejeweled, a prince among dragons and men alike.”

To celebrate this beloved brood-prince, we turn again to the rich traditions of Thavnairian style. The centerpiece of this outfit, the Dragonsong Sherwani, is a long coat often worn by Thavnairian grooms. The richest of emerald hues is used for the cloth, the breast accented with real rubies and the hem of the coat adorned with golden thread, depicting a scene most cherished by Vrtra: the skyline of Radz-at-Han, with its peacock-adorned buildings and watchful, all-seeing eyes.

The garment is paired with a pagri (turban) in two-toned emerald and dark green, adorned with black feathers, and dark green churidar (pants). The iridescence of the silk recalls the scales of the great wyrm, reflecting a multitude of deep shades.

Modeling for this wondrous ensemble and dedication to the Satrap is Orlaith Furiosa, a kind half-elezen with a love of nature and respect for other people regardless of race, species or heritage.  Though the Sherwani is meant entirely for males, this woman has waited patiently for her opportunity to model for the Regalia, and the Diamond Sultan would not refuse her this right.

This verdant gem of the Bounty will surely make a statement in the fashion realm -  even the Radiant Host and the Satrap both would honor such likenesses to their proud city-state!  Take to the skies under wings of emerald and be the ever-vigilant eye that gazes upon the realm of high fashion!

Mausoleum of Hecatomnus

Milas (Mylasa), Asia minor (Turkey)

4th century BCE

30*36 m

The Mausoleum of Hecatomnus was discovered in 2010 when men were arrested for illegal digging for antiquities. A marble sarcophagus and numerous frescoes were discovered in the tomb, although it was believed many relics had already been taken from the tomb and sold on the black market. Recently a golden crown from the tomb has been identified and agreed to be returned to Turkey. The tomb is very important for understanding of Carian art and craftsmanship as it was built by their best architects and sculptors and one of the strongest claims for this site is that it is supposed to have been used as a reference to build, few years later, the famous Mausoleum in Halicarnassus (The tomb of Mausolus, his son) at Halicarnassus. The tomb's walls are decorated in colored frescos that are in need of immediate conservation. The chamber held an elaborately carved marble sarcophagus with a relief of a bearded, reclining man, believed to depict Hecatomnus.

On the sarcophagus friezes are family scenes. On the long edge; a dish lying on a cedar, representative of the deceased dynasty (may be Hekatomnos, Mausolos or Idrieus), looking at him with sadness, and possibly extended to him by his wife; They have a farewell scene represented by their children with toys and other family relatives' gifts. The other percentage is to show how powerful and mighty the king is; theres a hunting scene bringing a lion to its knees. Persian and Hellenic motifs are used together; In a sense, the new information that will be obtained from this unique work, which is the synthesis of the West and the East, will provide significant gains to the world of archeology.

Hecatomnus was appointed by the Persian king to command the naval forces destined to take part in the war against Evagoras of Cyprus; but the operations of the war were at that time allowed to linger; and it appears that Hecatomnus himself shared in the spirit of disaffection towards Persia at that time so general; as when hostilities were at length resumed in earnest against Evagoras, he not only took no part in support of the Persian monarchy, but secretly supplied Evagoras with sums of money to raise mercenary troops. No notice, however, seems to have been taken of this act of treachery, a circumstance for which the disorganised state of the Persian monarchy will fully account: and Hecatomnus continued to hold possession of Caria in a state of virtual independence until his death. The date of this cannot be ascertained with certainty, but we learn from Isocrates that he was still ruling in 380 BCE. He left three sons, Mausolus, Idrieus and Pixodarus – all of whom – in their turn, succeeded him in the sovereignty; and two daughters, Artemisia and Ada, who were married to their brothers Mausolus and Idrieus. Hecatomnus was a native of Mylasa, and made that city his capital and the seat of his government: hence we find on his coins the figure of Zeus Labrandenos, represented as walking and carrying a labrys over his shoulder, from the celebrated temple of that name near Mylasa.

Do I want headcanons, fanfictions, and a rough timeline of when he and Anton were together? Also yes.

From Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 2 #006, “The Suitor’s Revenge”

Art by Luke Ross and Nolan Woodard

Enigmatic Anonymous Coin From Caria

This silver tetradrachm was struck around 350-334 BC during the Achaemenid Period. It shows a Persian king or hero either kneeling or running while drawing a bow. The reverse side has a Satrap on horseback, thrusting a spear. In the upper left field is the head of Herakles wearing a lion’s skin headdress. Very Rare. Extremely Fine.

This anonymous tetradrachm belongs to an enigmatic Carian coinage struck before the invasion of Alexander the Great and consisting of two series, one lacking additional symbols and the other featuring symbols behind the horseman, like the head of Herakles seen here. The presence of only the unmarked series in the Pixodaros Hoard (closed c. 341/0 BC) has led to the conclusion that the marked series, to which the present coin belongs, must have been produced after 341 BC. With this date it is tempting to suggest that the marked series may have been struck in the context of the dynastic dispute between Ada, the rightful female satrap of Caria, and her usurping brother, Pixodaros. In 340 BC, Pixodaros forcibly expelled Ada from the capital at Halikarnassos and claimed power for himself. She fled to the Carian fortress of Alinda where she continued to rule in exile. She remained in exile after the death of Pixodaros (c. 336 BC) and the transfer of power to his Persian brother-in-law, but she was restored by Alexander the Great in 334 BC after offering to adopt him as her son.