Ancient Numismatics Ma
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding in the history and archaeology of ancient coinages, with a focus on the Greek and Roman worlds.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: Students will acquire a methodological background useful for approaching contextual numismatic studies; they will be aware of theoretical and practical information that will allow them to offer a correct technical analysis and critical evaluation of ancient coins and ancient coinages. Secondly, they will also learn the Italian and European laws about the management of coins as an archaeological item.
Skills: Students will learn managing ancient coins, using them as an instrument to reconstruct ancient economies and past societies. They will also learn how to investigate coins in archaeological contexts e their association with other materials. They will also gain experience in cataloguing coins according to ministerial forms.
Skills: Students will learn managing ancient coins, using them as an instrument to reconstruct ancient economies and past societies. They will also learn how to investigate coins in archaeological contexts e their association with other materials. They will also gain experience in cataloguing coins according to ministerial forms.
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 following topics are presented and discussed:
Part A (20 hours; 3 ECTS): Coins in context
Part B (20 hours; 3 ECTS): Heracles/Hercules the Hero of the Margins
Part C (20 hours; 3 ECTS): Myths, representations, coins.
In addition to the principles and fundamentals of the discipline, during the first part of the course (A: 20 hours) the topic of "coins in context" will be explored according to the latest methodologies of archaeological investigation.
The second section of the course (B: 20 hours) is part of the interdisciplinary project that has already been underway for several years: the project is characterised by the cooperation between the course of Latin Literature (Pr. Chiara Torre), Classical Mythology (Prof. Silvia Romani) and Ancient Numismatics, Master's Degree. "Heracles/Hercules the Hero of the Margins" will be the topic of the analysis: in this respect, the ancient sources and the mythical narratives will be connected with the reading of contexts and material culture.
The third part of the course (C: 20 hours) wil be workshop-based: the class, in small groups, will be asked to present some dossiers about greek and roman gods or heroes from both a numismatic/iconographic and literary point of view.
Students will have to follow the first two parts (A+B) to obtain 6 ECTS, three parts (A+B+C) for 9 ECTS. It is not possible to obtain only 3 ECTS by following only one teaching unit.
Attendance at the course, although optional, remains strongly recommended.
Part A (20 hours; 3 ECTS): Coins in context
Part B (20 hours; 3 ECTS): Heracles/Hercules the Hero of the Margins
Part C (20 hours; 3 ECTS): Myths, representations, coins.
In addition to the principles and fundamentals of the discipline, during the first part of the course (A: 20 hours) the topic of "coins in context" will be explored according to the latest methodologies of archaeological investigation.
The second section of the course (B: 20 hours) is part of the interdisciplinary project that has already been underway for several years: the project is characterised by the cooperation between the course of Latin Literature (Pr. Chiara Torre), Classical Mythology (Prof. Silvia Romani) and Ancient Numismatics, Master's Degree. "Heracles/Hercules the Hero of the Margins" will be the topic of the analysis: in this respect, the ancient sources and the mythical narratives will be connected with the reading of contexts and material culture.
The third part of the course (C: 20 hours) wil be workshop-based: the class, in small groups, will be asked to present some dossiers about greek and roman gods or heroes from both a numismatic/iconographic and literary point of view.
Students will have to follow the first two parts (A+B) to obtain 6 ECTS, three parts (A+B+C) for 9 ECTS. It is not possible to obtain only 3 ECTS by following only one teaching unit.
Attendance at the course, although optional, remains strongly recommended.
Prerequisites for admission
Detailed knowledge of Greek and Roman History.
Teaching methods
Lectures of Ancient Numismatics for Master students are offered, during the first part (20 hours), according to the traditional method of frontal teaching. During the second part (20 hours), the course of Numismatics will be held in conjunction with the course of Latin Literature (Pr. Chiara Torre) and Classical Mythology (Pr. Silvia Romani) in order to enrich the educational offer through an innovative teaching method. In this way, the figurative representation on ancient coins will be analysed referring not only to archaeological context bur also to texts and myths. In the third part (20 hours), within the frontal teaching, students will present short reports analysing specific case-studies.
During the course, Pr. F. de Callataÿ will held lectures on the topics: "Quantification of ancient coinages: techniques and benefits", "Coins as a proxy for the places of exchanges in Antiquity: what can be deduced so far from archaeological site maps" and "Digital Numismatics: SILVER: a powerful database for all the Greek die studies and overstrikes or FINA: a powerful database for numismatic antiquarianism". Lessons and lectures held by the chairs of Latin Literature and Classical Mythology, as well as by a visitng professor, will offer a comprehensive training in numismatics. With this approach, students will achieve methodological and archaeological skills in contextual numismatics, as well as a theoretical and practical expertise to analyse the coins.
During the course, Pr. F. de Callataÿ will held lectures on the topics: "Quantification of ancient coinages: techniques and benefits", "Coins as a proxy for the places of exchanges in Antiquity: what can be deduced so far from archaeological site maps" and "Digital Numismatics: SILVER: a powerful database for all the Greek die studies and overstrikes or FINA: a powerful database for numismatic antiquarianism". Lessons and lectures held by the chairs of Latin Literature and Classical Mythology, as well as by a visitng professor, will offer a comprehensive training in numismatics. With this approach, students will achieve methodological and archaeological skills in contextual numismatics, as well as a theoretical and practical expertise to analyse the coins.
Teaching Resources
A. Attending Students
Students who intend to take the 6 ECTS exam (A+B = 40 hours) should prepare, in addition to the lecture notes and the materials discussed during the course, texts 1, 2 and 3; students who intend to take the 9 ECTS exam (A+B+C = 60 hours) should prepare the lecture notes, all the materials provided during the course and texts 1, 2, 3 and 4.
1) W.E. Metcalf (ed. by), The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011 [chapters 2-10]
2) A. Savio, Monete Romane, Jouvence, Roma 2002 [or other editions]
3) E. Stafford, Herakles, Routledge, Adingdon 2012
4) N. Parise, La nascita della moneta. Segni premonetari e forme arcaiche dello scambio, Roma 2000
B. Non-attending Students
Non-attending students who intend to take the 6 ECTS exam will have to prepare texts 5, 6 and 7; students who intend to take the 9 ECTS exam will have to prepare texts 5, 6, 7 and 8.
5) W.E. Metcalf (ed. by), The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011 [chapters 2-10].
6) A. Savio, Monete Romane, Jouvence, Roma 2002 [or other editions].
7) F. Barello, Archeologia della moneta. Produzione e utilizzo nell'antichità, Carocci, Roma 2006 [or other editions]
8) N. Parise, La nascita della moneta. Segni premonetari e forme arcaiche dello scambio, Roma 2000
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 = 40 hours) should prepare, in addition to the lecture notes and the materials discussed during the course, texts 1, 2 and 3; students who intend to take the 9 ECTS exam (A+B+C = 60 hours) should prepare the lecture notes, all the materials provided during the course and texts 1, 2, 3 and 4.
1) W.E. Metcalf (ed. by), The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011 [chapters 2-10]
2) A. Savio, Monete Romane, Jouvence, Roma 2002 [or other editions]
3) E. Stafford, Herakles, Routledge, Adingdon 2012
4) N. Parise, La nascita della moneta. Segni premonetari e forme arcaiche dello scambio, Roma 2000
B. Non-attending Students
Non-attending students who intend to take the 6 ECTS exam will have to prepare texts 5, 6 and 7; students who intend to take the 9 ECTS exam will have to prepare texts 5, 6, 7 and 8.
5) W.E. Metcalf (ed. by), The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011 [chapters 2-10].
6) A. Savio, Monete Romane, Jouvence, Roma 2002 [or other editions].
7) F. Barello, Archeologia della moneta. Produzione e utilizzo nell'antichità, Carocci, Roma 2006 [or other editions]
8) N. Parise, La nascita della moneta. Segni premonetari e forme arcaiche dello scambio, Roma 2000
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 interview, students must prove that they have learned the fundamentals of the discipline and demonstrate that they have reached a detailed knowledge of ancient monetary dynamics. Students must also contextualise ancient coinages within their socio-economic and historical framework. During the examination 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 exposure and competence in the use of technical 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
Unita' didattica B
L-ANT/04 - NUMISMATICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-ANT/04 - NUMISMATICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)