Ancient Numismatics
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a basic grounding in the history of ancient coins, with a focus on the Greek and Roman worlds.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: Students will made aware of the main problems related to coins and coinages in the ancient world, the differences with the contemporary world, some elementary notions of economics and the connection between archeology, history and numismatics.
Skills: Students will learn to manage the coin object within the archaeological excavation and how to catalogue coins; they will learn the basic and current Italian laws about the management of the coins as an archaeological item.
Skills: Students will learn to manage the coin object within the archaeological excavation and how to catalogue coins; they will learn the basic and current Italian laws about the management of the coins as an archaeological item.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:
A (20 h): Introduction to Ancient Numismatics
B (20 h): Fundamentals of Greek and Roman Numismatics
C (20 h): Coins and Archaeology
The first part of the course (A) provides basic vocabulary and fundaments of Numismatics, in connection with economic, political and social history and with the world of archaeology.
The second part (B) will focus on the presentation of the most significant phases of the monetary history of the Greek and Roman world.
The third part (C) will be devoted to an in-depth examination of the problem of coins in context and coins as archaeological object (Pr. Alessandro Bona).
In October, some lessons will be held by Prof. François de Callataÿ, from the University of Brussels, who will focus on:
1. Ancient coinages: a practical introduction
2. Greek coin iconography and visual image
3. The gold coinages of Alexander the Great: production, circulation, and disparition
The student can attend 40 hours (A+B) to obtain 6 ECTS, 60 hours (A+B+C) to earn 9 ECTS. It is not possible to obtain only 3 ECTS.
Attendance to the course, though optional, is strongly recommended.
A (20 h): Introduction to Ancient Numismatics
B (20 h): Fundamentals of Greek and Roman Numismatics
C (20 h): Coins and Archaeology
The first part of the course (A) provides basic vocabulary and fundaments of Numismatics, in connection with economic, political and social history and with the world of archaeology.
The second part (B) will focus on the presentation of the most significant phases of the monetary history of the Greek and Roman world.
The third part (C) will be devoted to an in-depth examination of the problem of coins in context and coins as archaeological object (Pr. Alessandro Bona).
In October, some lessons will be held by Prof. François de Callataÿ, from the University of Brussels, who will focus on:
1. Ancient coinages: a practical introduction
2. Greek coin iconography and visual image
3. The gold coinages of Alexander the Great: production, circulation, and disparition
The student can attend 40 hours (A+B) to obtain 6 ECTS, 60 hours (A+B+C) to earn 9 ECTS. It is not possible to obtain only 3 ECTS.
Attendance to the course, though optional, is strongly recommended.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of Greek and Roman History.
Teaching methods
Lectures of Ancient Numismatics for undergraduate students are given according to the traditional method of frontal teaching, especially during the first lessons. Gradually students will be invited to participate actively in the analysis and discussion of specific topics. This teaching method will provide the expected skills in order to transform the student from passive user and "buyer" of information to active and critical interpreter of numismatics. Also, this method will provide students with the basic knowledge to recognise and read ancient coins as real objects set in a coherent historical, archaeological and economic context.
Teaching Resources
A. Attending students
Students who intend to take the 6 ECTS exam (A+B) must study the lecture notes, the materials discussed during the course and texts 1 and 2; students who intend to take the 9 ECTS exam (A+B+C) must study the lecture notes, the related materials and texts 1, 2, 3
1) R. Cantilena, La moneta in Grecia e a Roma. Appunti di numismatica antica, Monduzzi editore, Milano 2011 [or other editions]
2) A. Savio, Monete romane, Jouvence, Milano 2014 [or other editions]
3) A. Martín Esquivel, A.F. Ferrandes, G. Pardini (a cura di), Archeonumismatica : analisi e studio dei reperti monetali da contesti pluristratificati, Roma 2023 [only the papers by: V. Basilissi, M. Giommi, L. Rivaroli, Dal recupero al restauro. Linee guida per la conservazione delle monete provenienti da contesti archeologici - pp. 45-60; A.F. Ferrandes, Dall'oggetto al contesto. Ancora sulla difficile esegesi dei depositi archeologici alla luce di una recente esperienza romana - pp. 139-160; E. Spagnoli, Il ritrovamento di moneta in tomba. Problematiche, procedure, casi di studio - pp. 185-196; C. Perassi, Monete forate. Dallo scavo alla comprensione dell'uso - pp. 209-242; C. Blázquez Cerrato, A. Martín Esquivel, B. Mora Serrano, Riflessioni sullo studio e documentazione dei ripostigli monetali provenienti da scavi archeologici - pp. 243-248]
B. Non-attending students
Non-attending students who intend to take the 6 ECTS exam must study texts 4, 5, 6; non-attending students who intend to take the 9 ECTS exam must study texts 4, 5, 6, 7.
4) R. Cantilena, La moneta in Grecia e a Roma. Appunti di numismatica antica, Monduzzi editore, Milano 2011 [or other editions]
5) A. Savio, Monete romane, Jouvence, Roma 2002 [or other editions]
6) W.H. Harris, Una prospettiva revisionistica della moneta romana, "Rivista di Storia Economica" 22/3 (2006), pp. 287-306
7) A. Martín Esquivel, A.F. Ferrandes, G. Pardini (a cura di), Archeonumismatica : analisi e studio dei reperti monetali da contesti pluristratificati, Roma 2023 [unicamente i contributi di V. Basilissi, M. Giommi, L. Rivaroli, Dal recupero al restauro. Linee guida per la conservazione delle monete provenienti da contesti archeologici - pp. 45-60; A.F. Ferrandes, Dall'oggetto al contesto. Ancora sulla difficile esegesi dei depositi archeologici alla luce di una recente esperienza romana - pp. 139-160; E. Spagnoli, Il ritrovamento di moneta in tomba. Problematiche, procedure, casi di studio - pp. 185-196; C. Perassi, Monete forate. Dallo scavo alla comprensione dell'uso - pp. 209-242; C. Blázquez Cerrato, A. Martín Esquivel, B. Mora Serrano, Riflessioni sullo studio e documentazione dei ripostigli monetali provenienti da scavi archeologici - pp. 243-248]
Warning
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the course lecturer in good time. Examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in accordance with the relevant Office.
Students who intend to take the 6 ECTS exam (A+B) must study the lecture notes, the materials discussed during the course and texts 1 and 2; students who intend to take the 9 ECTS exam (A+B+C) must study the lecture notes, the related materials and texts 1, 2, 3
1) R. Cantilena, La moneta in Grecia e a Roma. Appunti di numismatica antica, Monduzzi editore, Milano 2011 [or other editions]
2) A. Savio, Monete romane, Jouvence, Milano 2014 [or other editions]
3) A. Martín Esquivel, A.F. Ferrandes, G. Pardini (a cura di), Archeonumismatica : analisi e studio dei reperti monetali da contesti pluristratificati, Roma 2023 [only the papers by: V. Basilissi, M. Giommi, L. Rivaroli, Dal recupero al restauro. Linee guida per la conservazione delle monete provenienti da contesti archeologici - pp. 45-60; A.F. Ferrandes, Dall'oggetto al contesto. Ancora sulla difficile esegesi dei depositi archeologici alla luce di una recente esperienza romana - pp. 139-160; E. Spagnoli, Il ritrovamento di moneta in tomba. Problematiche, procedure, casi di studio - pp. 185-196; C. Perassi, Monete forate. Dallo scavo alla comprensione dell'uso - pp. 209-242; C. Blázquez Cerrato, A. Martín Esquivel, B. Mora Serrano, Riflessioni sullo studio e documentazione dei ripostigli monetali provenienti da scavi archeologici - pp. 243-248]
B. Non-attending students
Non-attending students who intend to take the 6 ECTS exam must study texts 4, 5, 6; non-attending students who intend to take the 9 ECTS exam must study texts 4, 5, 6, 7.
4) R. Cantilena, La moneta in Grecia e a Roma. Appunti di numismatica antica, Monduzzi editore, Milano 2011 [or other editions]
5) A. Savio, Monete romane, Jouvence, Roma 2002 [or other editions]
6) W.H. Harris, Una prospettiva revisionistica della moneta romana, "Rivista di Storia Economica" 22/3 (2006), pp. 287-306
7) A. Martín Esquivel, A.F. Ferrandes, G. Pardini (a cura di), Archeonumismatica : analisi e studio dei reperti monetali da contesti pluristratificati, Roma 2023 [unicamente i contributi di V. Basilissi, M. Giommi, L. Rivaroli, Dal recupero al restauro. Linee guida per la conservazione delle monete provenienti da contesti archeologici - pp. 45-60; A.F. Ferrandes, Dall'oggetto al contesto. Ancora sulla difficile esegesi dei depositi archeologici alla luce di una recente esperienza romana - pp. 139-160; E. Spagnoli, Il ritrovamento di moneta in tomba. Problematiche, procedure, casi di studio - pp. 185-196; C. Perassi, Monete forate. Dallo scavo alla comprensione dell'uso - pp. 209-242; C. Blázquez Cerrato, A. Martín Esquivel, B. Mora Serrano, Riflessioni sullo studio e documentazione dei ripostigli monetali provenienti da scavi archeologici - pp. 243-248]
Warning
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the course lecturer in good time. Examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in accordance with the relevant Office.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Ancient Numismatics encompasses an oral exam that will focus on the topics dealt with during the course and/or texts provided in the bibliography. During the exam, students must prove that they have learned the fundamentals of the discipline and must demonstrate that they have reached a global and specific knowledge of the monetary dynamics in antiquity. Students must also be able to contextualise the ancient coinages within their specific socio-economic and historical framework. During the interview students must also recognise and describe an ancient coin: this will be done using the materials presented during the course or on the basis of the photographic materials included in the texts recommended for preparation. Assessment will be based on the following criteria: ability to present the acquired knowledge in a critical and not passive view; capacity for critical reasoning on the study carried out; quality of presentation; competence in the use of specialised vocabulary.
The evaluation of the oral interview is expressed in 30/30.
The evaluation of the oral interview is expressed in 30/30.
Unita' didattica A
L-ANT/04 - NUMISMATICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Cavagna Alessandro
Unita' didattica B
L-ANT/04 - NUMISMATICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Cavagna Alessandro
Unita' didattica C
L-ANT/04 - NUMISMATICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Bona Alessandro
Professor(s)