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During the Achaemenid era

During the Achaemenid era, in addition to the "drake" which was the official coin of the country and was minted in the royal mints, the subordinate kingdoms and cities of Greece and Asia Minor - which were under the control of Iran - and the rulers (satraps) that the emperor appointed for the states, even the generals and commanders The armies were allowed to individually mint coins from whatever metal they wished and suited their economic interests.

In normal times, the royal mints minted coins according to the need, but in times of war, the emperor appointed one of the commanders or satraps whom he trusted as his representative, and made him the agent of all war affairs, the formation of the army, and the provision of armor and weapons, and a considerable share of He left the royal treasury to him to mint coins in any place and in any amount he deems necessary and to create a war situation.

Maze was one of these satraps who minted coins in the city under his control. He, who was appointed as the ruler of Cilicia in 362 BC, created many mints and during his long reign in this land - which was the headquarters of Iranian forces - he used these coins to pay soldiers and mercenaries and ship expenses. was doing

During the reign of Darius III, Maze became the governor of Babylon and minted coins there.

The coins of his era are very beautiful and interesting, and they have images of ships and ancient gods of Mesopotamia such as "Bel". But the most important of these coins is the one with the symbol of lion and sun on its back. This coin proves that the ancient symbol of lion and sun has a very long and ancient history in this land.

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Maze coins were minted in Cilicia, Syria and Babylon respectively. Each period has had different coins, which are very interesting in terms of art and design, and represent local traditions and customs.

Maze coins can be divided into three types:

Figure 1
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Figure 2
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The first type is the coins minted in Cilicia and related to the years 361 to 333 BC.

In this period, coins usually show the image of Baal, the great Phoenician god, sitting on a throne, holding a bunch of wheat and grapes, and holding a scepter in his other hand. On some of these coins, in addition to a bunch of grapes, Baal is also holding an eagle.
On the back of the coin, Maze's name is engraved in Aramaic script and a lion tearing a deer (Figure 1). Also, the city tower and rampart, on top of which a lion is tearing a buffalo, has been carved (Figure 2).

The second type is

The coins minted in Sidon 333-353 BC. The pattern of these coins is very beautiful, and on one side, there is the pattern of a battleship on the water waves. However, this type of coin is not only related to Maze, but the kings of Sidon also minted similar ones.

The third type is

The coins that were minted in Babylon from 328-331 BC, on one side of which the god Baal is sitting on a throne and holding the scepter of power, and on the other side is a walking lion, and the name Maze in Aramaic script. It has been struck (Figure 3). Maze coins are usually two-ster Persian Ester, or small Obole coins.

Figure 3
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