UCL - Numismatics : Antiquity

[ARKE2610]

[30h] 4 credits

This course is taught in the 2d semester.

This two-yearly course is taught in 2010-2011, 2012-2013,...

Teacher(s): Patrick Marchetti

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods

Aims

Introduction to methods of classification and the methodological use of Byzantine, Greek, Celtic and Roman numismatic sources.

Main themes

Terminology and technology of fabrication. Their importance for piecing together the history of the coins and their issue. Metrology and its methods. Monetary alloys and the sources of the metals. Monetary epigraphy. The message conveyed by the inscriptions on the coins. Study of the iconographic documentation for the buildings, statues and other realia.

Content and teaching methods

Terminology and technology of fabrication. Their importance for putting together the history of the coins and their issue. Structure of the workshops. Monetary alloys and sources of the metals. Metrology and its methods, definition of the standard coinage and identification of the weights systems. Monetary epigraphy (reading of, and comments on, meaningful documents). Analysis of monetary documents (types, legends, symbols, various marks). Messages conveyed by the inscriptions. Study of the coins as a source of the history of art. History of the issues of money in Ancient Times, since currency was invented up to the late Roman Empire.