Philology, literatures and history of the ancient world

ANNALISA POLOSA

In consistency with the educational purposes of the whole teaching course, aim of the teaching unit is to give students knowledge and comprehension skills in the field of Ancient Numismatics, that complete and/or reinforce those acquired in the first grade of studies. Moreover, it will make the students able to approach orginal themes in a research context, making more complex judgments, communicating knowledge and its process, and studying the subject in an independent and self-educational way. In particular, the course aims at introducing students to the understanding of the history of the object currency, in its progress in the different cultures of the ancient Mediterranean.

The course has the aim to provide students with knowledge on the monetary history of the ancient world; this will allow students to use numismatic sources in the frame of archaeological and historical research.

no prerequisites are required

Introduction to numismatics; introduction to economic history; methodology and tools; history of coinage (Asia Minor, Greece and the Greek world; Rome and the Roman world); case studies.

1 handbook to be chisen between

R. Cantilena, La moneta in Grecia e a Roma. Appunti di Numismatica antica, Bologna (Monduzzi) 2008.

F. Barello, Archeologia della moneta. Produzione e utilizzo nell'antichità, Roma (Carocci) 2006).

Further reading related with case studies or students’ individual projects will be provided during the course.

Lectures and seminars

Not mandatory. Students not attending the course are required to agree an alternative program with the teacher.

Assessment takes place at the end of the course through a seminar discussion on topics agreed upon with the teacher, and through a final oral exam designed to verify the student's acquisition of knowledge in the field of economic and monetary history of the ancient world.

When and where was coinage introduced in the Greek world; the structure of Athenian coinage; the chronology and organization of the Roman monetary system; recognition of coins examined during the lessons.

• introduction


• tools


• methods


• non monetary economies


• exchange systems


• weight systems


• monetary systems: Greek World


• monetary systems: Roman World


• case studies