DOCSLIB.ORG

Early Coinage of the Roman Republic, 280 to 91 B.C.E

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Early Coinage of the Roman Republic, 280 to 91 B.C.E Please do not remove this page Early coinage of the Roman Republic, 280 to 91 B.C.E. Brennan, T. Corey https://scholarship.libraries.rutgers.edu/discovery/delivery/01RUT_INST:ResearchRepository/12643456130004646?l#13644607670004646 Brennan, T. C. (2005). Early coinage of the Roman Republic, 280 to 91 B.C.E. https://doi.org/10.7282/T3WH2N0Z This work is protected by copyright. You are free to use this resource, with proper attribution, for research and educational purposes. Other uses, such as reproduction or publication, may require the permission of the copyright holder. Downloaded On 2021/09/29 16:34:09 -0400 RUTGERS RUTGERS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESENTS EARLY! COINAGE OFTHE ROMAN REPUBLIC 280 TO 91 B.C.E. EXHIBITION CURATED BY Fernanda H. Perrone Rutgers University_Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives with assistance from T. Corey Brennan Classics, Rutgers-New Brunswick Gary D. Farney History, Rutgers-Newark WITH A CHECKLIST BY T. Corey Brennan Published by Rutgers University Libraries Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick, New Jersey Early Coinage of the Roman Republic 280-91 BCE Preface The Rutgers collection of Roman Republican coins housed in the Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives is remarkable for its comprehensiveness, historical value, and the fine condition of most of its individual pieces. It was in 2001 that an extraordinarily generous anonymous benefaction brought these coins to Rutgers. The gift of this collection-which had been acquired with an expert eye and much con­ tinued effort over many decades-almost overnight made the University an important locus for teaching and research in this area. This exhibition, the first public display of the Rutgers coins, has as its major themes the evolution of the technical aspects of coinage in the earlier Republic, and political and social developments that are reflected in Rome's money during our chosen time period, which ends at 91 BC­ the start of Rome's "Social War" against its Italian allies, and with it, a new era in the coinage. This checklist is aimed at non-specialists. For every coin in this exhibi­ tion there are two (abbreviated) references, to the fundamental works in this field: E.A. Sydenham, The Coinage of the Roman Republic (1952), and M.H. Crawford, Roman Republican Coinage (2 vols, 1974). For a general introduction to the field, there is much to be said for D.R. Sear, Roman Coins and their Values vol. I (5th edition, 2000), which features a well-organized type catalogue accompanied by excellent illustrations. For the acquisition of the Rutgers collection, special thanks are owed to University President Richard L. McCormick, Marianne I. Gaunt, University Librarian, Ronald L. Becker, Head, Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA), and FAS Dean for Humanities Barry V. 2 RUTGERS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES Qualls. Timothy S. Corlis (Head, Preservations, SCUA), Kristen St. John (now of UCLA), and Dr. Fernanda Perrone (Head, Exhibitions Program, SCUA) have seen to conservation issues. In addition, at vari­ ous stages Professor William E. Metcalf (Yale University) and Mr. Robert J. Myers offered expert advice, for which we are grateful. A companion online Roman Republican Coins database is the work of Brian Hancock (now Systems Librarian, Montclair State University) and Dr. Jeffery A. Triggs (Applications Developer, Scholarly Communication Center), who have been aided by Rutgers graduate stu­ dents Samantha Doherty (formerly Philosophy, who provided much of the database content) and Kathleen J. Shea (Classics). Ms. Shea created most of the splendid photographs, including all seen in this checklist. There would be no exhibition without the generous help of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, and also the steadfast support of the Friends of the Library. Dr. Fernanda Perrone curated this exhbition, with basic help in the choice of items from Professor Gary Farney of the History Department of Rutgers-Newark (who selected about two-thirds of the coins shown here) and myself. Timothy Corlis imaginatively saw to the physical display of the coins. Rutgers undergraduate Valerie N. Addonizio (Douglass College '06) deserves full credit for her energy and initiative in assisting in almost all aspects of the exhibition, including the preparation of labels, ancillary materials, and much work for the check­ list (including cover design and the concordances at end). It is the enormous fortune of Rutgers and its larger community that Professor E. Badian, John Moors Cabot Professor of History Emeritus in Harvard University, accepted our invitation to open the exhibition by delivering this year's Louis Faugeres Bishop Ill Lecture, choosing as his theme the development of Roman Republican coinage. Professor Badian also graciously shared with the Rutgers Libraries some of his own notes on the coin descriptions, which I draw on in this checklist. I should emphasize however that any errors in fact or interpretation in this checklist, and its physical production, are my responsibility alone. T. Corey Brennan Rutgers-NB Classics 3 Introduction: Some Practical Matters 1. How does the Roman system of names work? The Roman (male) name usually consists of three elements: praenomen, nomen gentilicium, and cognomen. PRAENOMEN: the "first name", normally abbreviated. A limited range were in general use in the Classical period, with the most frequent as follows: A.= Aulus M. = Marcus Sex. = Sextus Ap. = Appius M'. = Manius Sp. (or S.) = Spurius C. = Gaius N. = Numerius T. = Titus Cn. = Gnaeus P. = Publius Ti. = Tiberius D. = Decimus Q. = Quintus V. = Vibius L. = Lucius Ser. = Servius NOMEN GENTILICIUM: the family name (gens), normally ending in "-ius" (i.e., for men), and hereditary for men (and women), follows immediately after the praenomen. COGNOMEN: Like the family names, cognomina (many of which started as nicknames, often derisive) were usually, though not always, hereditary; this element frequently served to distinguish various branches of a single (usually large) gens. The Senate might also vote an extraordinary additional name (agnomen) to triumphing military commanders, derived from the area of their con- 4 RUTGERS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES quest (e.g., Q. Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus). In certain (especially official) contexts, a man's name might also include filiation and tribal designation: FILIATION: On the coins, a man's immediate male ancestry is indicated by recording, immediately after the nomen, the father's praenomen and the abbreviation "f." (for filius = "son [of]"). Hence the signature of the moneyer of 137 BCE M.BAEBI. Q.F TAMPIL. (X.3, shown below) is to be expanded "Marcus Baebius, son of Quintus, Tamp(h)ilus". TAMPIL. M.BAEBI. Q.F If one should want to indicate one's ancestry back two generations, the abbreviation "n." (for nepos = "grandson [of]") is added: hence M. Baebius Q.f. Cn.n. Tamphilus = "Marcus Baebius, son of Quintus, grandson of Gnaeus, Tamphilus". TRIBAL DESIGNATION: From about 160 BCE on, the full masculine name in formal documents regularly included the voting tribe in which the man was enrolled (at the time there were 35 in all). The tribal name, normally abbreviated to three letters, was usually recorded after the fili­ ation and before the cognomen: see Xll.23 (the moneyer A.MANLI.Q.F SER, 118-107 BCE) for a possible example. EARLY COINAGE OF THE REPUBLIC 5 2. Who issued the coins in the Roman Republic? The "Republican" period of Roman history extends from (traditionally) 509 BCE-the date when the Romans expelled their seventh king, Tarquin the Proud-to (on a generous reckoning) 31 BCE, the date when Octavian, the future Augustus, defeated Marc Antony in a naval battle off Actium, a promontory in the north of Acarnania (Greece). It seems reasonable to suppose with M.H. Crawford that for much of the third century BCE it was Rome's censors-two senior magistrates elected (notionally) at five year intervals for an eighteen month term­ who selected the types of Rome's coinage and determined the denomi­ national structure. But certainly by ca. 200 BCE the Republic had shifted to a system of three moneyers (the tresviri monetales); where we can check, they are generally young men at an early stage of their polit­ ical careers. The reform came perhaps ca. 212 BCE, when we know that Rome initiated a major overhaul of the structure of its silver and bronze coinage (see VI and VII Introductions). There is no evidence that the monetales were elected; apparently one of the senior magistrates of a given year (perhaps one or both of the consuls) appointed them. Here are the Roman magistracies that find most frequent mention in the pages that follow; the first three constitute the official career path ('cur­ sus honorum') of the classical Republic; the fourth, the Tribunate of the Plebs, properly was outside of it. All regular Roman magistracies except for the censorship had (officially) a one year term of office. Consuls Instituted in (traditionally) 509 BCE, to replace the king as head of state, they were two in number; the praetorship was made a prerequi­ site for the consulship ca. 196. Eligibility for office (after 180 BCE) was 42 years of age. They gave their names to the year, with a term starting 15 March ca. 228-154; 1 January from 153 BCE. Commanders in major wars, their official power (after 327 BCE) could be extended past the year of the magistracy, for service only outside Rome. Praetors One praetor (at least later, 'Urban') 366-ca. 244 BCE; two praetors ca. 244-229; four 228-198; six 197-81; eight 80-47; and then 16 6 RUTGERS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES by 44. The quaestorship was a prerequisite after 180 BCE. Like their senior colleagues the consuls, their official power also could be extended past the year of the magistracy. The urban praetor was, in the (quite common) absence of the consuls from the city, the chief magistrate in Rome.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • TIMELINE of ROMAN IMPERIAL COINAGE
    27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 B.C. AUGUSTUS 16 Jan 27 BC AUGUSTUS CAESAR Other title: e.g. Filius Augustorum Aureus 7.8g KEY TO METALLIC COMPOSITION Quinarius Aureus GOLD Gold Aureus 25 silver Denarii Gold Quinarius 12.5 silver Denarii SILVER Silver Denarius 16 copper Asses Silver Quinarius 8 copper Asses DE-BASED SILVER from c. 260 Brass Sestertius 4 copper Asses Brass Dupondius 2 copper Asses ORICHALCUM (BRASS) Copper As 4 copper Quadrantes Brass Semis 2 copper Quadrantes COPPER Copper Quadrans Denarius 3.79g 96-98% fine Quinarius Argenteus 1.73g 92% fine Sestertius 25.5g Dupondius 12.5g As 10.5g Semis Quadrans TIMELINE of ROMAN IMPERIAL COINAGE B.C. 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 A.D.A.D. denominational relationships relationships based on Aureus Aureus 7.8g 1 Quinarius Aureus 3.89g 2 Denarius 3.79g 25 50 Sestertius 25.4g 100 Dupondius 12.4g 200 As 10.5g 400 Semis 4.59g 800 Quadrans 3.61g 1600 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 91011 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 19 Aug TIBERIUS TIBERIUS Aureus 7.75g Aureus Quinarius Aureus 3.87g Quinarius Aureus Denarius 3.76g 96-98% fine Denarius Sestertius 27g Sestertius Dupondius 14.5g Dupondius As 10.9g As Semis Quadrans 3.61g Quadrans 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 TIBERIUS CALIGULA CLAUDIUS Aureus 7.75g 7.63g Quinarius Aureus 3.87g 3.85g Denarius 3.76g 96-98% fine 3.75g 98% fine Sestertius 27g 28.7g
    [Show full text]
  • Hadrian and the Greek East
    HADRIAN AND THE GREEK EAST: IMPERIAL POLICY AND COMMUNICATION DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Demetrios Kritsotakis, B.A, M.A. * * * * * The Ohio State University 2008 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor Fritz Graf, Adviser Professor Tom Hawkins ____________________________ Professor Anthony Kaldellis Adviser Greek and Latin Graduate Program Copyright by Demetrios Kritsotakis 2008 ABSTRACT The Roman Emperor Hadrian pursued a policy of unification of the vast Empire. After his accession, he abandoned the expansionist policy of his predecessor Trajan and focused on securing the frontiers of the empire and on maintaining its stability. Of the utmost importance was the further integration and participation in his program of the peoples of the Greek East, especially of the Greek mainland and Asia Minor. Hadrian now invited them to become active members of the empire. By his lengthy travels and benefactions to the people of the region and by the creation of the Panhellenion, Hadrian attempted to create a second center of the Empire. Rome, in the West, was the first center; now a second one, in the East, would draw together the Greek people on both sides of the Aegean Sea. Thus he could accelerate the unification of the empire by focusing on its two most important elements, Romans and Greeks. Hadrian channeled his intentions in a number of ways, including the use of specific iconographical types on the coinage of his reign and religious language and themes in his interactions with the Greeks. In both cases it becomes evident that the Greeks not only understood his messages, but they also reacted in a positive way.
    [Show full text]
  • The Use of Propaganda on an Augustan Denarius
    Pepperdine University Pepperdine Digital Commons Featured Research Undergraduate Student Research Fall 11-2013 The Use of Propaganda on an Augustan Denarius Jens Ibsen Pepperdine University, [email protected] Melissa Miller Pepperdine University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/sturesearch Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, History of Religion Commons, and the Other History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology Commons Recommended Citation Ibsen, Jens and Miller, Melissa, "The Use of Propaganda on an Augustan Denarius" (2013). Pepperdine University, Featured Research. Paper 79. https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/sturesearch/79 This Research Poster is brought to you for free and open access by the Undergraduate Student Research at Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Featured Research by an authorized administrator of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. The Use of Propaganda on an Augustan Denarius Jens Ibsen & Melissa Miller ABSTRACT Our coin is a silver denarius minted in Lugdunum (now Lyon), most likely under the reign of Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. There are factors which point to a possibility of the coin being a restitution Above: A Comparable Trajan AR Denarius(c. 98 -117 CE) issue minted under either Trajan or Hadrian, such as its pristine Source; http://tjbuggey.ancients.info/ condition, which implies a lack of use, and the similarity of symbols employed on this denarius and denarii of Trajan’s era. The coin is a prime example of Augustus’ use of propaganda inserted into Roman daily life to sell the idea of empire to a Roman people who ardently defended a long-standing tradition of republican government.
    [Show full text]
  • The Roman Empire – Roman Coins Lesson 1
    Year 4: The Roman Empire – Roman Coins Lesson 1 Duration 2 hours. Date: Planned by Katrina Gray for Two Temple Place, 2014 Main teaching Activities - Differentiation Plenary LO: To investigate who the Romans were and why they came Activities: Mixed Ability Groups. AFL: Who were the Romans? to Britain Cross curricular links: Geography, Numeracy, History Activity 1: AFL: Why did the Romans want to come to Britain? CT to introduce the topic of the Romans and elicit children’s prior Sort timeline flashcards into chronological order CT to refer back to the idea that one of the main reasons for knowledge: invasion was connected to wealth and money. Explain that Q Who were the Romans? After completion, discuss the events as a whole class to ensure over the next few lessons we shall be focusing on Roman Q What do you know about them already? that the children understand the vocabulary and events described money / coins. Q Where do they originate from? * Option to use CT to show children a map, children to locate Rome and Britain. http://www.schoolsliaison.org.uk/kids/preload.htm or RESOURCES Explain that the Romans invaded Britain. http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/romans.html Q What does the word ‘invade’ mean? for further information about the key dates and events involved in Websites: the Roman invasion. http://www.schoolsliaison.org.uk/kids/preload.htm To understand why they invaded Britain we must examine what http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/topic/past/roman-empire.html was happening in Britain before the invasion.
    [Show full text]
  • Faliscan Personal Names
    W. D. C. de Melo Faliscan Personal names The Indo-European system There are two types of names: a) names consisting of two stems, often praising the qualities of the person concerned: Πατρο-κλέης; these can be shortened (in either stem), but a suffix has to be added: Πάτρο-κλ-ος; b) names consisting of one stem, often nicknames, sometimes praising good qualities, but more often mocking bad characteristics. In the original system, a single name is enough: Greek Αἰσχύλος, Vedic Bh¯ımasena (name of a hero), Celtic Dumnor¯ıx. But in order to distinguish between people of the same name, the father’s name can be added; this is optional; cf: a) genitive: Greek Δημοσθένης Δημοσθένου, Old High German Hadubrant Hiltibrantes sunu; b) adjective: Greek Αἴας Τελαμώνιος, Old English Wulf Wonr´eding. Occasionally what began as a patronymic continues in a family; cf. the kings of Pylos: Νηλεύς, son Νέστωρ Νηλήϊος, grandson ᾿Αντίλοχος Νηλήϊος. This then becomes a clan name, cf. the mythical Τανταλίδαι or the Vedic singers K¯an. v¯as. The Latin system The Latin system is very different from the Indo-European system. Systems similar to the Latin one can be found in Faliscan, Oscan and Umbrian, but also in Etruscan. We are presumably dealing with a regional phenomenon. The full form of a Roman name can be seen in CIL I2 827: M (arcus) Herennius M (arci) f (ilius) Mae(cia tribu) Rufus. This consists of: praenomen, nomen (=nomen gentile / nomen gentilicium), genitive of father’s name + ‘son’, name of the tribe (ablative), cognomen. Usage: Cicero uses the combination praenomen + nomen + cognomen only in highly official contexts; praenomen + nomen or praenomen + cognomen is used in formal contexts; a single name is informal.
    [Show full text]
  • A View of the Horse from the Classical Perspective the Penn Museum Collection by Donald White
    A View of the Horse from the Classical Perspective The Penn Museum Collection by donald white quus caballus is handsomely stabled in tive how-to manual On Horsemanship (“The tail and mane the University of Pennsylvania Museum of should be washed, to keep the hairs growing, as the tail is used Archaeology and Anthropology. From the to swat insects and the mane may be grabbed by the rider Chinese Rotunda’s masterpiece reliefs portray- more easily if long.”) all the way down to the 9th century AD ing two horses of the Chinese emperor Taizong Corpus of Greek Horse Veterinarians, which itemizes drugs for Eto Edward S. Curtis’s iconic American Indian photographs curing equine ailments as well as listing vets by name, Greek housed in the Museum’s Archives, horses stand with man and Roman literature is filled with equine references. One in nearly every culture and time-frame represented in the recalls the cynical utterance of the 5th century BC lyric poet Museum’s Collection (pre-Columbian America and the Xenophanes from the Asia Minor city of Colophon: “But if northern polar region being perhaps the two most obvious cattle and horses and lions had hands, or were able to do the exceptions). Examples drawn from the more than 30,000 work that men can, horses would draw the forms of the gods like Greek, Roman, and Etruscan vases, sculptures, and other horses” (emphasis added by author). objects in the Museum’s Mediterranean Section serve here as The partnership between horse and master in antiquity rested a lens through which to view some of the notable roles the on many factors; perhaps the most important was that the horse horse played in the classical Mediterranean world.
    [Show full text]
  • “At the Sight of the City Utterly Perishing Amidst the Flames Scipio Burst Into
    Aurelii are one of the three major Human subgroups within western Eramus, and the founders of the mighty (some say “Eternal”) “At the sight of the city utterly perishing Aurelian Empire. They are a sturdy, amidst the flames Scipio burst into tears, conservative group, prone to religious fervor and stood long reflecting on the inevitable and philosophical revelry in equal measure. change which awaits cities, nations, and Adding to this a taste for conquest, and is it dynasties, one and all, as it does every one any wonder the Aurelii spread their of us men. This, he thought, had befallen influence, like a mighty eagle spreading its Ilium, once a powerful city, and the once wings, across the known world? mighty empires of the Assyrians, Medes, Persians, and that of Macedonia lately so splendid. And unintentionally or purposely he quoted---the words perhaps escaping him Aurelii stand a head shorter than most unconsciously--- other humans, but their tightly packed "The day shall be when holy Troy shall forms hold enough muscle for a man twice fall their height. Their physical endurance is And Priam, lord of spears, and Priam's legendary amongst human and elf alike. folk." Only the Brutum are said to be hardier, And on my asking him boldly (for I had and even then most would place money on been his tutor) what he meant by these the immovable Aurelian. words, he did not name Rome distinctly, but Skin color among the Aurelii is quite was evidently fearing for her, from this sight fluid, running from pale to various shades of the mutability of human affairs.
    [Show full text]
  • The Imperial Cult and the Individual
    THE IMPERIAL CULT AND THE INDIVIDUAL: THE NEGOTIATION OF AUGUSTUS' PRIVATE WORSHIP DURING HIS LIFETIME AT ROME _______________________________________ A Dissertation presented to the Faculty of the Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia _______________________________________________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy _____________________________________________________ by CLAIRE McGRAW Dr. Dennis Trout, Dissertation Supervisor MAY 2019 The undersigned, appointed by the dean of the Graduate School, have examined the dissertation entitled THE IMPERIAL CULT AND THE INDIVIDUAL: THE NEGOTIATION OF AUGUSTUS' PRIVATE WORSHIP DURING HIS LIFETIME AT ROME presented by Claire McGraw, a candidate for the degree of doctor of philosophy, and hereby certify that, in their opinion, it is worthy of acceptance. _______________________________________________ Professor Dennis Trout _______________________________________________ Professor Anatole Mori _______________________________________________ Professor Raymond Marks _______________________________________________ Professor Marcello Mogetta _______________________________________________ Professor Sean Gurd DEDICATION There are many people who deserve to be mentioned here, and I hope I have not forgotten anyone. I must begin with my family, Tom, Michael, Lisa, and Mom. Their love and support throughout this entire process have meant so much to me. I dedicate this project to my Mom especially; I must acknowledge that nearly every good thing I know and good decision I’ve made is because of her. She has (literally and figuratively) pushed me to achieve this dream. Mom has been my rock, my wall to lean upon, every single day. I love you, Mom. Tom, Michael, and Lisa have been the best siblings and sister-in-law. Tom thinks what I do is cool, and that means the world to a little sister.
    [Show full text]
  • The Earliest Roman Counterfeit by Means of Gold/Mercury Amalgam
    The earliest roman counterfeit by means of gold/mercury amalgam Autor(en): Botrè, Claudio / Hurter, Silvia Mani Objekttyp: Article Zeitschrift: Schweizerische numismatische Rundschau = Revue suisse de numismatique = Rivista svizzera di numismatica Band (Jahr): 79 (2000) PDF erstellt am: 25.09.2021 Persistenter Link: http://doi.org/10.5169/seals-175713 Nutzungsbedingungen Die ETH-Bibliothek ist Anbieterin der digitalisierten Zeitschriften. Sie besitzt keine Urheberrechte an den Inhalten der Zeitschriften. Die Rechte liegen in der Regel bei den Herausgebern. Die auf der Plattform e-periodica veröffentlichten Dokumente stehen für nicht-kommerzielle Zwecke in Lehre und Forschung sowie für die private Nutzung frei zur Verfügung. Einzelne Dateien oder Ausdrucke aus diesem Angebot können zusammen mit diesen Nutzungsbedingungen und den korrekten Herkunftsbezeichnungen weitergegeben werden. Das Veröffentlichen von Bildern in Print- und Online-Publikationen ist nur mit vorheriger Genehmigung der Rechteinhaber erlaubt. Die systematische Speicherung von Teilen des elektronischen Angebots auf anderen Servern bedarf ebenfalls des schriftlichen Einverständnisses der Rechteinhaber. Haftungsausschluss Alle Angaben erfolgen ohne Gewähr für Vollständigkeit oder Richtigkeit. Es wird keine Haftung übernommen für Schäden durch die Verwendung von Informationen aus diesem Online-Angebot oder durch das Fehlen von Informationen. Dies gilt auch für Inhalte Dritter, die über dieses Angebot zugänglich sind. Ein Dienst der ETH-Bibliothek ETH Zürich, Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zürich, Schweiz, www.library.ethz.ch http://www.e-periodica.ch CLAUDIO BOTRE, SILVIA MANI HURTER THE EARLIEST ROMAN COUNTERFEIT BY MEANS OF GOLD/MERCURY AMALGAM A hoard of Roman coins recently came to light in an excavation conducted by archaeologists of the Soprintendenza Archeologica di Roma under the direction of Dott.
    [Show full text]
  • Calendar of Roman Events
    Introduction Steve Worboys and I began this calendar in 1980 or 1981 when we discovered that the exact dates of many events survive from Roman antiquity, the most famous being the ides of March murder of Caesar. Flipping through a few books on Roman history revealed a handful of dates, and we believed that to fill every day of the year would certainly be impossible. From 1981 until 1989 I kept the calendar, adding dates as I ran across them. In 1989 I typed the list into the computer and we began again to plunder books and journals for dates, this time recording sources. Since then I have worked and reworked the Calendar, revising old entries and adding many, many more. The Roman Calendar The calendar was reformed twice, once by Caesar in 46 BC and later by Augustus in 8 BC. Each of these reforms is described in A. K. Michels’ book The Calendar of the Roman Republic. In an ordinary pre-Julian year, the number of days in each month was as follows: 29 January 31 May 29 September 28 February 29 June 31 October 31 March 31 Quintilis (July) 29 November 29 April 29 Sextilis (August) 29 December. The Romans did not number the days of the months consecutively. They reckoned backwards from three fixed points: The kalends, the nones, and the ides. The kalends is the first day of the month. For months with 31 days the nones fall on the 7th and the ides the 15th. For other months the nones fall on the 5th and the ides on the 13th.
    [Show full text]
  • Roman Coins – Mass Media for Image Cultivation
    Roman Coins – Mass Media for Image Cultivation Unlike modern coins, Roman money was characterized by an enormous diversity of coin images. This reflected not so much the desire for change, however, but rather an often very purposeful policy of concrete self-interests. At the time of the Roman Republic, coins were issued on behalf of the senate by a committee of moneyers. These men decided independently what motifs their coins were to bear, and, from the late 2nd century BC, used this liberty often for family propaganda. Later, during the time of the Firs and second triumvirate (60 to 32 BC), coins were issued by several powerful Romans or their adherents. These pieces were not republican any more, but imperatorial, and used mainly for the representation of political dispositions and ambitions. In imperial times finally (from 27 BC), the rulers of Rome were in charge of the issuance of money. Naturally, they used the large Roman coins for the artful conversion of political propaganda and self-manifestation as well. 1 von 20 www.sunflower.ch Roman Republic, L. Caecilius Metellus Diadematur (or Delmaticus), Denarius, 128 BC Denomination: Denarius Mint Authority: Moneyer Lucius Caecilius Metellus Diadematus (?) Mint: Rome Year of Issue: -128 Weight (g): 3.94 Diameter (mm): 18.0 Material: Silver Owner: Sunflower Foundation This denarius bears on the obverse a traditional motif, the head of Roma, the goddess and personification of Rome, wearing a winged attic helmet; behind her is the mark XVI for the value of 16 asses. The reverse depicts a goddess driving a biga, a two-horse racing chariot.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Roman Measures Page 1 of 6
    Ancient Roman Measures Page 1 of 6 Ancient Rome Table of Measures of Length/Distance Name of Unit (Greek) Digitus Meters 01-Digitus (Daktylos) 1 0.0185 02-Uncia - Polex 1.33 0.0246 03-Duorum Digitorum (Condylos) 2 0.037 04-Palmus (Pala(i)ste) 4 0.074 05-Pes Dimidius (Dihas) 8 0.148 06-Palma Porrecta (Orthodoron) 11 0.2035 07-Palmus Major (Spithame) 12 0.222 08-Pes (Pous) 16 0.296 09-Pugnus (Pygme) 18 0.333 10-Palmipes (Pygon) 20 0.370 11-Cubitus - Ulna (pechus) 24 0.444 12-Gradus – Pes Sestertius (bema aploun) 40 0.74 13-Passus (bema diploun) 80 1.48 14-Ulna Extenda (Orguia) 96 1.776 15-Acnua -Dekempeda - Pertica (Akaina) 160 2.96 16-Actus 1920 35.52 17-Actus Stadium 10000 185 18-Stadium (Stadion Attic) 10000 185 19-Milliarium - Mille passuum 80000 1480 20-Leuka - Leuga 120000 2220 http://www.anistor.gr/history/diophant.html Ancient Roman Measures Page 2 of 6 Table of Measures of Area Name of Unit Pes Quadratus Meters2 01-Pes Quadratus 1 0.0876 02-Dimidium scrupulum 50 4.38 03-Scripulum - scrupulum 100 8.76 04-Actus minimus 480 42.048 05-Uncia 2400 210.24 06-Clima 3600 315.36 07-Sextans 4800 420.48 08-Actus quadratus 14400 1261.44 09-Arvum - Arura 22500 1971 10-Jugerum 28800 2522.88 11-Heredium 57600 5045.76 12-Centuria 5760000 504576 13-Saltus 23040000 2018304 http://www.anistor.gr/history/diophant.html Ancient Roman Measures Page 3 of 6 Table of Measures of Liquids Name of Unit Ligula Liters 01-Ligula 1 0.0114 02-Uncia (metric) 2 0.0228 03-Cyathus 4 0.0456 04-Acetabulum 6 0.0684 05-Sextans 8 0.0912 06-Quartarius – Quadrans 12 0.1368
    [Show full text]