Rzym antyczny. Polityka i pieniądz / The Ancient Rome. Politics and Money. T. 6
The Ancient Rome. Politics and Money. T. 6
Contributor(s): Wiesław Kaczanowicz (Editor)
Subject(s): History, Cultural history, Economic history, Political history, Social history, Ancient World
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: Andrzej Kunisz; ancient world; Byzantine coins
Summary/Abstract: The publication is addressed to historians, archaeologists, numismatists and lovers of the ancient world.
Series: Filologia Klasyczna
- E-ISBN-13: 978-83-226-3048-8
- Print-ISBN-13: 978-83-226-3047-1
- Page Count: 110
- Publication Year: 2017
- Language: English, Polish
Indeks osobowy
Indeks osobowy
(Index)
- Author(s):Not Specified Author
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):History
- Page Range:101-106
- No. of Pages:6
Nie tylko Numi Augg. Alexandrini. Wkład polskich numizmatyków w badania monet w Egipcie od Okresu Późnego do okresu wczesnego panowania arabskiego
Nie tylko Numi Augg. Alexandrini. Wkład polskich numizmatyków w badania monet w Egipcie od Okresu Późnego do okresu wczesnego panowania arabskiego
(NOT ONLY NUMI AUGG. ALEXANDRINI. The Contribution of Polish Numismatists to Studies of Coins in Egypt from the Late Period to the Period of Early Arab Rule)
- Author(s):Barbara Lichocka
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):History
- Page Range:15-39
- No. of Pages:25
- Summary/Abstract:When presenting the accomplishments of Polish researchers in the years from 1982 to 2013 concerning money in Ancient Egypt, it is worth recalling earlier studies because they constitute important points on the map of our achievements; they are still discussed in international literature. These include some publications by Stefan Skowronek dealing with the Alexandrian mint and different aspects of its issues during the Roman period until Diocletian’s monetary reforms. His later studies already fall within the time frame of the following research. Altogether, they comprise a list of major publications about Alexandrian coins, primarily about their iconography, also viewed from a synthetic perspective. Alexandrian coins, that is, issues from the time of Roman rule from Augustus to Diocletian, which Giovanni Dattari called Numi Augg. Alexandrini, are marked by unique iconography. Apart from an analysis of selected research questions, Stefan Skowronek presented, in broader terms, the merging of local and Greco-Roman trends, their religious and political aspects. Barbara Lichocka also contributed to the iconography of Alexandrian coins. Among others, she studied the iconography and cult of Nemesis, as well as suggested a new interpretation (as Artemis) of the female figure standing in front of an altar and facing Apollo as depicted on the coins of Antoninus Pius.The archaeological excavations conducted by Polish missions in Egypt forced the necessityto publish new findings. These publications included works by Aleksandra Krzyżanowska (anannotated catalogue of coins from Tell Atrib and articles concerning coins from this archeological site, a research paper on a small group of late Roman coins from Deir El-Bahari) and Barbara Lichocka (studies of coins from different periods unearthed on Kom El-Dikka in Alexandria, a catalogue of Byzantine coins from Marea baths and a publication of coins from Naqlun). Dorota Malarczyk examined Umayyad coins found in Marea. Piotr Jaworski published coins issued in Egypt and found in Ptolemais. Katarzyna Lach provided a general overview of coins recovered from the Polish-American excavations in Berenice. Adam Jegliński drew up a study on an assemblageof coins from Kom El-Dikka in Alexandria and proposed an interpretation of the context. The chemical composition of coins was investigated to a limited extent for some categories of coins from Kom El-Dikka, primarily of those cast during the late Roman period and the few silver/billon coins from the Roman period (Claudius, Nero).The coins unearthed during excavations are often a starting point for further detailed analyses.The topics that were discussed were relevant not only for one archaeological site, but forexpanding the knowledge of money in Egypt, both minted locally and flowing in from otherregions as a result of Diocletian’s reforms. Works which are worth mentioning in this contextinclude Aleksandra Krzyżanowska’s paper on the long period of circulation of Ptolemy VI’s coins and the so-called Arabic-Byzantine coins, and Barbara Lichocka’s discussion concerning the late Roman cast coins found on Kom El-Dikka.An analysis and interpretation of terracotta molds for copying late Roman coins is undoubtedly a subject whose research, conducted indepently by Aleksandra Krzyżanowska and Barbara Lichocka, contributed to a better understanding of manufacturing and circulation of cast coins. The issues of money circulation were not often raised by Polish researchers. Therefore, it is worth indicating the highly-valued study by Andrzej Kunisz on the circulation of gold money in Egypt, based on an analysis of the most important hoards found in Egypt. Andrzej Kunisz addressed, among others, a controversial issue of production of gold coins under Vespasian, which could have been minted in Alexandria. This thread was later pursued by Katarzyna Lach. The earliest issues of coins, from the pharaonic times, were not analyzed in detail. However, two monographs (by Jarosława Bodzek and Mariusz Mielczarek) where they were mentioned cannot be omitted. Ptolemaic coins were not an object of great interest among Polish numismatists either. Nevertheless, there are interesting observations made by the historian Ewa Wipszycka concerning the monetary policy of the Ptolemies, recorded in her handbook of Greek history. Articles by Agnieszka Fulińska and Barbara Lichocka deal with the message conveyed through the iconography of Ptolemaic coins.The scarcity of publications with analytic-synthetic approach is still noticeable. Undoubtedly,it is connected with the lack of good libraries. More studies should be done on coins struck inEgypt and preserved in the collections of Polish museums. We have the catalogues of collections displayed in Cracow (Stefan Skowronek, supplement by Katarzyna Lach), Łódź (Mariusz Mielczarek), Wrocław (Gabriela Sukiennik) and Toruń (Aleksandra Krzyżanowska). Intensification of the study of collections and the necessity to publish catalogues of coins found at archaeological sites are essentials; they will certainly open further research possibilities. Polish numismatists have made their contribution to popularizing knowledge of Ancient Egypt. An outline history of Alexandrian minting in the Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine periods by Janina Wiercińska is a collection of three texts, richly illustrated and adapted for a reader who does not possess arcane knowledge of numismatics. It can be said that much credit goes to Polish researchers for exploring topics related to excavations and for analyzing many specific issues. Many studies were published in congress languages and the papers in Polish are often supplemented with a summary in English or French, which makes it possible to share the results with international scientific community. The coinage of Egypt issued under Ptolemaic and Roman rule until the end of the third century, and the coins unearthed in Egypt, including these from the period after Diocletian’s reforms, when the closed currency system was not in effect, also attract active interest of numismatists from other countries, with whom Polish researchers are involved in a scientific discussion.
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Monety rzymskie w obozach legionowych nad Dunajem Casus Novae (Bułgaria)
Monety rzymskie w obozach legionowych nad Dunajem Casus Novae (Bułgaria)
(ROMAN COINS IN LEGIONARY CAMPS ALONG THE DANUBE. CASUS NOVAE (BULGARIA))
- Author(s):Renata Ciołek
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):History
- Page Range:41-59
- No. of Pages:19
- Summary/Abstract:The aim of the following paper is to present the circulation of money in the legionary camp on the lower Danube together with an analysis of the extent to which coins contribute to the time dating of structures in which they were unearthed. An attempt was made at reconstruction of the monetary circulation in the camps along the Danube River, based on the material accessible to the author. It comprises coins from excavations conducted by Ośrodek Badań nad Antykiem Europy Południowo-Wschodniej of Warsaw University (OBA) at the site of a military camp in Novae in the province of Moesia Inferior (Bulgaria). Studies conducted by OBA encompassed the so-called Section IV. Therefore, the coins considered in the following analyses come from the excavations of this very site. Other legionary camps on the lower Danube have been archeologically studied only partially; excavations were conducted on irregular basis, and they are not continued. Generally,the state of research into the circulation of Roman coins in Moesia is still fragmentary. Whereas there is literature on the circulation of coins during the 1st and 2nd centuries, and attempts have been made at a synthesis, the 3rd and 4th centuries are barely known. Studies in Novae have been conducted for over 50 years by Bulgarian and Polish research centers.Warsaw University has participated in these studies since the beginning. The followinganalyses have been based on excavations, archival materials and the author’s own research. Inorder to show the possibilities of time dating based on coins, several structures from excavations of Section IV have been analyzed in this paper. The site of the legionary camp in Novae, comprising the so-called Section IV, perfectly illustrates its rich history. Structures uncovered during excavations belong to different periods, staring from the time of the stationing of Legio VIII Augusta until the Middle Ages. They include: baths, a military hospital — valetudinarium and civil architecture. The pool of coins in the finds at the site of Section IV seems to be representative. During excavations of this site, 765 items in total, coming from the 1st century AD until the 7th century AD, were registered. This numberwould be at least tripled if the rest of the area were unearthed. The most plentiful group consists of the 4th century coins and the least numerous - of the 2nd and the 6th century coins. The most numerous group of the 4th century issues constitutes nearly half of all the finds.The history of the legionary camp in Novae begins in the middle of the 1st century AD, whenLegio VIII Augusta was assigned there after the end of the campaign in Britannia in AD 45. The mark of the legion’s presence is the relatively many coins of Claudius I. It can be explained by the fact that in AD 45, Novae became a part of the Roman Empire. Legion VIII was assigned to this location; a camp had to be built. A large amount of money was sent from Rome to Novae for this purpose. It is reflected in the pool of coins found in Novae in Section IV. A great majority of coins from the discussed period are connected with the existence of the large sized thermae legionis, which were built during the rule of Emperor Vespasian. The remnants of the baths, which were in operation when the Italian Legion stationed there, are very scarce. Their walls were subsequently used to built a hospital. Among other things, the pavement of the baths floor bearing the stamp of the legion has been preserved. 38 coins are connected with the Flavian baths. There is a group of coins issued before AD 97. The context of this find is unknown, but one cannot exclude their connection with the baths. The period of the functioning of the baths encompasses the Flavian Dynasty’s rule. The fact that the period before the construction of the baths was uneventful at the site of Section IV is confirmed by the absence of any Republican coins in the finds. Coins from this period were in circulationunder Julius-Claudius Dynasty relatively often. Demolition of the baths must have been carried out at the beginning of Trajan’s rule at the latest, as indicated by the group of coins found in demolition layers. The exact numismatic dating of this fact is not possible due to the fact that the youngest coin from this complex is too degraded. Moreover, the date of its issue does not coincide with the exact date of the closure of the legion baths. However, no Hadrian’s coins, or any later coins, were unearthed in the context of the baths. From the point of view of numismatics, the most probable date of the demolition of the baths is around AD 98, or shortly after. The most important object revealed in excavations of Section IV is valetudinarium, i.e., a military hospital. Its construction was begun at the beginning of Trajan’s rule. As was mentioned before, coins indicate that the baths were rebuilt into a hospital in the first years of Trajan’s rule. This dating is additionally supported by historic events, including first of all, Romans’ preparations for the Dacian Wars. It is worth mentioning a structure within the hospital, where the coin was discovered, namely an asklepeion — a healing temple, situated in the center of the courtyard. When analyzing the obtained timelines, one has to bear in mind that coins had a different time of circulation in different parts of the Roman Empire. We still have less specific data for the provinces on the Danube. The finds of coins from the period of the functioning of valetudinarium indicate that the hospital cannot have been abandoned earlier than the rule of Alexander Severus. To be dated, coins from the functional layers had to be separated from the coins from the rubblelayers, where they settled after the structure was abandoned. Their occurence in the rubble layer is meaningful for establishing the chronology of valetudinarium. It is worth recalling that the group of finds during excavations of the hospital site indicates that the object was functioning as early as during Alexander Severus’ reign. Establishing the exact year of its abandonement is not possible yet. This is not contradictory to the facts established upon the examination of other finds — primarily, Maximinus Thrax’s head and a fragment of a marble stone bearing the name of the Legio I Italica with Maximinus’ nickname, which indicatesthe passing of demantio memoriae of the legion after the emperor’s death. This would imply that the valetudinarium was abandoned in 238.In the pool of coins from excavations of Section IV in Novae, the provincial issues characteristic of Moesia and Thracia, stand out. In the earliest history of the legionary camp in Novae, “bronzes” from the central mint in Rome prevail among the denominations. Starting from the reign of Commodus, the statistics begin to change in favor of the provincials, which become the most numerous denominations, practically until the end of Gordian III’s reign. One of the first provincial coins is a beautiful, magnificent “bronze” from the Perinthus mint, struck during the reign of Commodus; no coins from the Rome mint were found. They are accompanied by scarce denarii. Such a structure of coins is typical of the monetary circulation of both Moesia and Thracia in the first half of the 3rd century.The pool of coins found in excavations of Section IV in Novae indicates the characteristics of the circulation of coins solely in the discussed province.Moesian and Thracian mints began to operate as early as in the 2nd century. The height oftheir functioning falls, however, on the first half of the 3rd century, which is very apparent in the pool of coins unearthed in Section IV of the camp in Novae. The largest supplier of provincial “bronze” coins to Novae was, as seen from the pool, the Nikopolis ad Sistrum mint, situated nearest the camp. It was the source of nearly half of the assigned provincial “bronze” coins. Compared with other mints, Marcianopolis coins constitute a relatively large group. Issues from other mints are known only as one or two specimens. The predominance of coins struck in Nicopolis ad Istrum, and secondly, in Marcianopolis is natural because both mints were closest to Novae, especially the first one. What is more, the Nicopolis ad Istrum mint was very active during its short period of operation and put a great number of coins “into circulation”. It reached its pinnacle during the rule of the Severan Dynasty, and the largest quantities of coins reached Novae during Septimus Severus’ reign. It can be explained by the fact that during his reign, the demand for a “bronze” coin was not met by the mint of Rome. Therefore, provincial mints had to increase coinage. The Marcianopolis mint was in operation a little longer. A lot of coins were also issued by the Hadrianopolis mint, yet, these were not revealed in Section IV in substantial quantities. The youngest provincial coins revealed in Novae come from the Viminacium mint, which began to operate after the decline of Thracian and remaining Moesian mints. The number of Viminacium mint coins in Section IV is rather symbolic. The functioning of mints was very sensitive to political events taking place on the territory of Moesia. The stay of Emperor Elagabalus in Moesia in 218 was distinguished in Section IV by a relatively larger presence of provincial bronzes from the two most important mints for this region, namely Nicopolis ad Istrum and Marcianopolis. An increased influx of provincial coins occured during the reign of Gordian III, as is noticeable in the pool of coins from Section IV. This can be explained with troops marching south through the Balkans in 241. This period also saw the decline of at least the majority of Moesian and Thracian mints, which is also ascribed to political events, but mostly, to the specificity of the monetary system in the second half of the 3rd century. It was at that time that a rapid and decisive deterioration of a silver coin, the Antoninianus, ensued, and the minting of “bronze” coins ceased to be economically viable. Therefore, the finds of coins from the second half of the 3rd century from this region comprise exclusively the heavily debased Antoniniani. The finds of coins from the first half of the 3rd century indicate that the demand for money in Novae within this time frame was being met only by the nearby Moesian and Thracian mints. However, one has to remember that the pool of coins at our disposal is but a small part of the “living culture” and we can count on larger quantities of coins from local mints. It is almost certain that issues from Nicopolis ad Istrum, and secondly, from Marcianopolis prevailed during this period. Thus, it is an indication that also Roman soldiers were then paid in “bronze” provincial currency, all the more so because it was a period of intensified military action, and hence increased demand for money, while the treasury was short of silver. This was reflected in the larger quantity of Septimus Severus’ coins. The emperor had to fight a fierce battle for the throne with four claimants and owed his victory to fifteen legions, including Legio I Italica.The state of research into the circulation of Roman coins during the 3rd and 4th centuriesin Moesia is still much less complete than during the preceding period. It is demonstrateded, for instance, by the hoard discovered in Novae in the ruins of the military headquaters (principia) near the chapel of banners. The coins which were successfully assigned were dated to the 4th century; the majority came from the Balkan mints. Many of those were rare specimens and some were unknown. This would point to two facts. The manufacture of these mints constituted the main body of coins that were in circulation during the late 3rd and early 4th centuries in Moesia and Thracia. This should be expected because the supplies from local mints have substantially increased after Diocletian’s monetary reform in 294. Moreover, many types of 3rd and 4th century coins are unknowkn. It shows the incompletness of our knowledge concerning the issues of coins from the Balkan mints, and also the state of research into the 3rd and 4th centuries in the discussed region. The period of Gordian III’s reign, to the beginning of Gallien’s reign, is poorly represented in the pool of coins in Section IV. It was a period of barbarians’ attacks, including the Goths who besieged the camp in Novae in 250. 4th century coins are relatively numerous here. However, the fact that 4th century coins are generally most frequently encountered throughout Europe ought to be considered. The coins from Novae were mainly minted in the Balkan Siscia, Heraclea, Ticinum, but also in Nicomedia, Thessaloniki or Cyzicus, Sirmium and Constantinople.Thus, these results are in accordance with the remarks related to the above mentioned hoard from the Western treasury in the military headquaters . It seems justified to assume, based on the pool of coins from the legionary camp in Novae, that at the turn of 3rd and 4th centuries, and, at least in the early 4th century, issues from the Balkan and Asia Minor mints prevailed, whereas issues from Western mints were in circulation there in very small quantities.Coins found in various structures within legionary camps do not offer us many possibilitiesfor time dating. These chances increase if we have the exact data concerning the archeologicalcontext of the discovered coins and can situate them in the functional layers of a given structure, and correlate them with the specimens from demolition or rubble layers. Such actions yielded expected results in the case of the military hospital due to the fact that the coins allowed to determine the time when the hospital was certainly still in use, and the time when it was certainly abandoned. The finds of coins, however, did not contribute any new data, or any further conclusions about the timeline concerning legion baths and the temple of healing deities. They only gave us terminus post quem, which is not a relevant hint in these cases. Thus, coins help in time dating, provided that a structure was functioning for a longer period of time, and that we have exact data and detailed archeological documentation. However, the monetary system of the Roman Empire, the length and the specificity of circulation of particular denomination, depending on a particular province, should be kept in mind. To sum up the information on the circulation of coins in the legionary camp, it should be emphasized that primarily, the pool of coins mirrors the camp’s history. The relatively large number of coins of Julio-Claudian Dynasty points to the beginnigs of the camp. In its earliest history, the most numerous denomination is the “bronzes” from the Rome mint, predominantly the asses, followed by the sestertii and the duspondii. From the reign of Commodus, statistics begin to change in favor of provincial coins which rise to the status of prevalent denominations practically until the end of the reign of Gordian III. Coins from the central mint were actually not found then. The characteristic feature of circulation of coins in Novae is issues of provincial mints. The finds of coins from the first half of the 3rd century indicate that the demand for money in Novae in that period of time was met solely by the nearby Moesian and Thracian mints. Denarii are rare, which demonstrates that they were not the denomination mainly used within the camp. No gold coins were found at all. Such a structure of coins is typical of the monetary circulation in both Moesia and Thracia until the first half of the 3rd century. Coins from the 4th century occur in Section IV in relatively large quantities. “Bronzes” discovered in Novae were mainly issued at the Balkan mints, including Siscia, Heraclea, Ticinum, but also Nicomedia, Thessaloniki or Cyzicus, Sirmium and Constantinople. Based on the pool of coins in the legionary camp in Novae, it is justified to conclude that at the end of the 3rd and in the 4th century, or, at least in early 4th century, issues from the Baltic and Asia Minor mints prevailed; on the other hand, issues from Western mints found their way to Novae in very small quantities.The present state of research lets us assume that the observations made about the circulationof Roman coins in Novae, based on the pool of coins from Section IV, also pertain to otherlegionary camps and smaller military structures along the lower Danube River.
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U północnych wrót Bramy Morawskiej. Stan badań nad znaleziskami monet rzymskich na ziemi głubczyckiej i raciborskiej 1945—2013
U północnych wrót Bramy Morawskiej. Stan badań nad znaleziskami monet rzymskich
na ziemi głubczyckiej i raciborskiej 1945—2013
(AT THE NORTHERN ENTRANCE OF THE MORAVIAN GATE: THE STATE OF RESEARCH ON FINDINGS OF ROMAN COINS IN THE GŁUBCZYCE AND RACIBÓRZ LANDS IN THE YEARS 1945—2013)
- Author(s):Dariusz Chojecki
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):History
- Page Range:61-73
- No. of Pages:13
- Summary/Abstract:The Głubczyce-Racibórz land, that is, the titular “northern entrance” of the Moravian Gate, is an area of the most numerous findings of the Roman coins north of Danube. First mentions regarding the land appear in the literature on the subject as early as at the beginning of the nineteenth century. In the present article the author discusses the state of the research on the said findings, focusing mainly on the years 1945—2013. While the mentioned period remains his main point of reference, archival materials and scholarly publications from the nineteenth and the first half of twentieth century are analysed as well.Starting his survey of relevant publications, the author provides information on the work byMajewski, Fenyn and Konik of the year 1949, and next he proceeds to later studies by Polishresearchers (Gumowski, Wielowiejski, Szydłowski, Kunisz, Burszche, Łonak, Dymowski, Ciołek, and a few of his own works). He devotes more attention to studies by Eugeniusz Konik from 1965 and Kazimierz Godłowski from 1973. Since the second half of the twentieth century appears to be a time of negligible findings of Roman coins in the discussed area, the researchers virtually confine their remarks to meticulous analysis of archival sources and previous studies performed by German numismatists. Wasn’t there in fact any noteworthy coin findings made at this time? This supposition may strike as rather absurd considering the previously-made discoveries. A German periodical Altschlesische Blätter, in the period 1927—1942 alone, as much as 48 times announced the discoveries of Roman coins, both single and multiple, made in the Głubczyce-Racibórz land. In a village of Nowa Cerekwia alone, in the period from the late eighteenth century to the half of the twentieth century, the researchers recorded 150 numismatic artefacts. Therefore, there is no slightest doubt that some Roman coins were unearthed also in the second half of the twentieth century; the information about them, however, did not escape the small circle of finders, and this, in turn, prevented the findings from being recorded in the literature. Not until the beginning of the twenty-first century did the situation change. The author of the article discusses the reports on the new discoveries of Roman coins in the area of interest, prepared by Arkadiusz Dymowski, that have appeared in the literature on the subject. He also turns the readers’ attention towards new studies of the Roman coins discoveries in Silesia, namely works by Wojciech Łonak and Renata Ciołek.Part two of the article was not based on literature, but instead it concerns previously unannounced findings. Presently, the coins are discovered that are later included into public collections. The Racibórz Museum in 2002 has acquired 12 copper Roman coins, in 2008 in a village of Nędza 7 copper Roman coins have been found along with an Alexander Jannaeus prutah. The said museum has also come into possession of an Antoninus Pius denar unearthed during excavation works in Tworków.In 2001, the Poviat Museum of Głubczyce Land is established. A year later the institutionacquires 9 fourth-century coins coming from Lower Silesia and a Trajan denar unearthed inPiotrowice Głubczyckie. Also, the single Roman coin discovered among the treasure consisting of republican coins in 2010 is added to the Museum’s collection. Currently, this institution is in possession of 11 Roman coins found in the area of Silesia. In addition, the Museum of Opole Silesia has come into possession of numismatic items found upon excavations currently taking place at the archaeological site in Nowa Cerekwia.The coins are found as a result of archaeological works carried out, but also discoveredcoincidentally, or they are unearthed during pre-planned “treasure hunting” events. While archaeologist obviously hand their discoveries over to museums, the remaining two types of finders are not always keen to do it. The treasure of coins from Nędza has been included into the Racibórz museum’s collection, whereas the coins from Nowa Wieś Głubczycka have been almost entire dispersed. The latter is considered to be an extremely important finding, since republican coins have been hitherto extraordinarily rare in Silesia. It may have seemed that in the area in question we would deal only with Celtic or Roman imperial coins. However, the treasure from Nowa Wieś Głubczycka along with findings of the years 2007—2008 in Racibórz, Raków, and Księże Pole, clearly indicate the need to investigate the inflow of Roman coins on Głubczyce-Racibórz land more closely, which also applies to the area of the entire Silesia.
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Moneta — ancilla historiae „Interpretacja ikonograficzna i ideologiczna” numizmatów we współczesnej polskiej historiografii starożytności rzymskiej (próba przeglądu)
Moneta — ancilla historiae „Interpretacja ikonograficzna i ideologiczna”
numizmatów we współczesnej polskiej historiografii starożytności rzymskiej (próba przeglądu)
(COIN — ANCILLA HISTORIAE “ICONOGRAPHIC AND IDEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION” OF NUMISMATICS IN CONTEMPORARY POLISH HISTORIOGRAPHY OF ROMAN ANTIQUITY (AN ATTEMPT AT A SURVEY))
- Author(s):Agata A. Kluczek
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):History
- Page Range:75-100
- No. of Pages:26
- Summary/Abstract:The following article is a short summary of Polish research into the „iconographic and ideological” interpretation of Roman numismatics during the last thirty years (1983—early 2014). It was defined as an atractive and developing research field with prospects by Professor Andrzej Kunisz in his cross-sectional study “The Roman Empire Minting. The State and Prospects of Research” published in 1984 in the post-conference volume „Ancient Money. The State and Prospects of Polish Research” (see footnote 3). The following article mentions only selected publications; broader topics which are being researched have not been discussed. Also the late period was omitted, based on the timeline proposed by Maciej Salamon (see footnotes 5 and 41).A numismatic as such is „a versatile source: material, written and iconographic” (StanisławSuchodolski, footnote 7). Studies carried out by Jerzy Kolenda et al. present the history of some collections of Roman coins in Polish museums and the beginnings of “scientific” interest in Roman coins (see footnote 9).What makes numismatic material attractive from a cognitive point of view, is undoubtedly theinscriptional and iconographic aspect, and the uniqueness of the evolving of legends and imagery. Especially inscriptions, and to a lesser extent images (see footnotes 59—61) attract researchers’ attention. They are primarily the inscriptions and images on the reverse of numismatics. Most analyses concern the so-called imperial coinage connected to the emperors. However, a group of acclaimed researchers also dealt with the ideological and iconographic aspects of provincial coinage (e.g. Aleksandra Krzyżanowska, Barbara Lichocka and Stefan Skowronek, see footnotes 62—65), as well as with contents expressed on medallions (Jerzy Kolendo, Aleksander Bursche, see footnote 66).The attractiveness of numismatics (see footnotes 56—57), or their significance as media forconveying ideological messages, was already seen by the ancients themselves (see footnotes 40 and 58). This element had impact on the vividness of imagery and inscriptions, especially at the close of the 2nd and beginning of the 1st century BC, until the late period (see footnotes 10 and 41). Nevertheless, not every image and every inscription should be interpreted in ideological categories (see footnote 54).Unquestionably, in the discussed thirty-year period of research, the attractiveness of numismatics as evidence of antiquity was noticed, as was the potentially vast range of issues, the knowledge of which can be broadened by an analysis of inscriptions and images. Professor Kunisz pointed to three aspects of state life, which can be related to the ideological messages promoted on coins and medallions: the dynastic policy of a ruler, praising the existing state system and emphasizing successes in relations with foreign countries and peoples. The researcher from Katowice discussed selected issues within this range of topics in many of his works. He focused his research on the epoch at the turn of the Republic and Empire and the early Principate (including “The Role of Numismatic Sources in Research into the Ideology and Propaganda in the Roman State” (1993), “Republican Traditions and the Reflection of New Reality in Augustan Epoch Minting” (1995) and other studies, see footnotes 1—2, 17—18). The studies on the history of Rome based on numismatics and published during the last 30 years focus on four time periods. These chronological accents were inspired largely by some of the above mentioned studies.The first period encompasses the birth of the Principate, the power struggle after the assassination of Gaius Julius Caesar and the strenghtening of Augustus at the helm of power. Apart from the inspiring studies by Andrzej Kunisz (see footnote 16), one has to mention the equally important works by Lesław Morawiecki, including “Charismatic Power in Rome at the Close of the Republic (the years 44—27 BC)” (1989) and “Legum ac libertatis auctor et vindex. Marcus Junius Brutus and His Political Program” (2001), in which the author proposed a method of research into monetary sources in connection with the literary sources situated within a thoroughly analyzed historical context (see footnotes 11—13). Currently, this epoch is enjoing considerable popularity in Polish historical research (see footnotes 14—16). The second period that attracts historical research based on numismatics comprises the declining years of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, the crisis of “the Year of the Four Emperors” , Vespasian’s accession and the beginning of the Flavian dynasty (see footnotes 19—20). One of the first studies is Andrzej Kunisz’s “The Program of Clodius Macer — Leader of Revolt in Africa in AD 68” (1988) and “L’insurrection de Clodius Macer en Afrique du Nord en 68 de notre ère” (1994) (see footnote 18). The researchers’ attention is also drawn to the period of the Civil War 193—197 and the rule of the Severan dynasty (see footnotes 22—24). Tadeusz Kotula’s study “Septimius Severus. The Emperor from Leptis Magna”, published in 1984, (see footnote 21) might have spured more interest in these times. The fourth period, equally popular among Polish researchers, is the period of the so-called Third Century Crisis of the Roman Empire. Wiesław Kaczanowicz’s studies “Carausius’ and Allectus’ Usurpation in Britannia and Gallia at the Close of the 3rd Century.” (1985) “Ideological Aspects in Roman Minting between 235 and 284 AD.” (1990), “Emperor Probus, 276—282 AD.”(1997) (see footnotes 25—28) were inspiring in terms of their contents and methodology, which is noticeable in many studies by other researchers (see footnotes 29—35).Numismatics also became evidence of contacts between the Roman Empire and Barbaricum,and of interaction on many planes between the two worlds — Roman and foreign (especiallyAleksander Bursche, see footnotes 36—37). Based on monetary sources , it was possible to interpret episodes of war conflicts, their consequences, aspects of political relations of Rome with other states and peoples and, more broadly speaking, the symbolism of the Roman presence in their contemporary world, together with their aspirations (see footnotes 38—39, 73—74). Frequently, the problems which emerged from an analysis of Roman minting oscillate around matters related to the reign of a given emperor or members of his family, a Roman emperor as a person, imperial power, and the state ideology propagated through coins. One can point to many issues undertaken on this capacious research plane. Discussions began about the motifs and ideas captured in Roman numismatics: aeternitas, concordia, felicitas, fortuna, pax, patientia, pietas, salus, and virtus, pointing out their continuity and evolution (see footnotes 42—49, 72), on the personifications of provinces (see footnotes51—52) and the presence of mythological characters and those from the pantheon of Greco-Roman gods (see footnote 53). The significance of remembering old monetary types in the form of issued nummi restituti and commemorative coins was appreciated (see footnote 50). The focus of research was on the images of the ruler (see footnotes 67—69). Imperial titles,epithets, victorious nicknames and ideas defining the emperor’s virtues were studied, and the subject of emperor’s charisma, reflected in both inscriptions and iconography, was addressed. Studies also concerned dynastic matters: rulers, their successors, co-rulers and members of ruling families (see footnotes 70—71). The notion of imperium sine fine represented on coins, was analyzed in a territorial aspect (see footnote 73) and — in combination with the idea of aeternitas — in a temporal aspect (see footnote 72). The inscriptions and imagery on coins were also perceived as a numismatic commentary on the role and hierarchy of structures existing within the Roman state, and on the presence of diverse groups of people in the state (see footnotes 75—78). Thus, there exists considerable interest among Polish researchers in the ideological significance and iconografic message of the Roman coin and medalion and the ways of their use by ancient centers of power, central and local. The catalog of issues investigated based on numismatic sources is similarly extensive. Although the undertaken issues are most frequently considered from the emperor’s perspective, in the sense that they concern the emperor and his power, and although they are situated within a particular reign or dynasty, in considering chronological diversity, they combine into a rich picture of ideological themes. Moreover, the numismatic material has become attractive for researchers from different academic centers. This results in viewing Roman history from many different perspectives, whose common denominator is a basic source — a coin and a medallion.
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