Weight with Elephant

An Indian elephant decorates the front of this lead weight. The Greek inscriptions surrounding the elephant state that the weight comes from Antioch, the capital of the Seleucid Empire; that it is a mina, the basic unit of weight used in the Seleucid Empire at this time; and that it was made under Zenophanes, who must have been an official in charge of weights and measures. The naming of the official, the form of the letters in the inscription, and the use of lead rather than bronze for an official weight suggest that this piece dates to late in the Hellenistic period.

Elephants are a recurring symbol on Seleucid coinage and on official weights, both products of the government mint. Originally connected with Alexander the Great's conquest to the east as far as India, the symbol was used to stress the dynasty's role as the legitimate successors of Alexander. Various Seleucid rulers also linked the symbol to victories and treaties of their own in the East. A small tab projects from the right side of the weight. This tab was presumably shaved down to adjust the weight.