Rencontres numismatiques – webinaire / Νομισματικές συναντήσεις – webinar
Lucia Carbone
American Numismatic Society, New York
The Hidden Power. Late Cistophoric Production and the Organization of the Provincia Asia (128-89 BC)
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Σε συνεργασία με τη Βελγική Σχολή Αθηνών, το Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, το Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Ερευνών (EIE-IIE/TEPA) και το Γερμανικό Αρχαιολογικό Ινστιτούτο Αθηνών
A collaboration with the Belgian School at Athens, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the National Hellenic Research Foundation (EIE-IIE/TEPA) and the German Archaeological Institute at Athens
Abstract:
This paper will examine the production patterns of late cistophori, the reduced standard silver tetradrachms issued in the Provincia Asia between 128 and the 60s BC, especially focusing on the ones produced until the beginning of the Mithridatic Wars. The cistophorus should formally be considered a civic coinage, as the presence of ethnic legends identifying the cities where mints where located on its reverse suggests. On the other hand, the Romans initially chose not to introduce their currency, but instead to retain the former Attalid silver currency. It could thus be expected that the cistophorus served as the silver currency of the Provincia Asia and that the provincial administration was responsible for its continued supply. The direct correlation between cistophoric production peaks, Roman military campaigns and increases in taxation suggest a certain level of involvement on the part of the Roman provincial administration. At the same time, production patterns specific to each cistophoric mint have come to light. Cistophoric coinage is thus instrumental for understanding not only the monetary policy of the Provincia Asia as a whole, but also the peculiarities of mint. It represents therefore a privileged tool for the analysis of the ‘hidden power’, the one of Roman provincial administration in constant dialogue with civic government.
Assistante administrative pour la Direction des Études
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Nolwenn Grémillet
Communication
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+ 30 210 36 79 943