Origin and fate of the greatest accumulation of silver in ancient history

Abstract The capture of the Achaemenid treasuries in 331–330 BCE by Alexander Great Persepolis and Susa marked demise 300-year-old Persian Empire advent Hellenistic kingdoms. seized equivalent about 5000 tons silver, which represented accumulated tributes paid subjugated people from Aegean Sea to Indus their rulers. Die studies show that this gigantic amount so-called mix, had been used produce most coinage himself an even greater extent those Diadochi, his successors. What remains be understood is origin silver immense treasure. Lead isotope abundances determined on both sigloi alexanders struck trace bullion source southern Aegean, Macedonia, Thrace. pseudo-coinage early Indian kingdoms isotopically different rest, attests a limited contribution treasuries. Studies Iron Age hoards Levant leave open possibility making mix may have predated expansion seventh century BCE. We speculate motivations such massive hoarding kings its economic implications.