Two Syrian deities

Abstract

This article considers two coin types, depicting a male and a female deity, which scholars traditionally considered to be Cappadocian in origin. A study of the find spots, and consideration of their metallurgy, leads one to conclude that these types were issued for circulation in Syria and not in Cappadocia. The deities depicted on the coins should therefore have some relevance for Syria. It is suggested that they are representations of the Syrian Gods of Hierapolis, Hadad and Atargatis, which have gone unrecognised until now.