Athenian Empire: Using Coins as Sources

Coinage was essential for the Athenian naval empire's rise and fall, with Persian coinage funding its enemies. This book surveys and illustrates the variety of coinages used, providing an accessible introduction to the empire's history and the use of coins as evidence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 05 November 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Coinage played a pivotal role in the history of the Athenian naval empire during the fifth century BC. Its significance lay in enabling the empire's rise, which was primarily funded through the annual tribute in coinage collected from approximately 200 cities within the empire. However, the empire's downfall was precipitated by the wealth acquired through Persian coinage, which financed its adversaries. This comprehensive book explores and showcases, with nearly 200 examples, the remarkable diversity of silver and gold coinages used during this period. It examines how coins complement the literary sources and provide valuable insights into developments in the monetary history of the era that would otherwise remain unknown. This book serves as an accessible introduction to both the history of the Athenian empire and the utilization of coins as evidence.

The Athenian naval empire of the fifth century BC was characterized by the significant role of coinage. It played a crucial factor in the empire's establishment and growth, as it facilitated the collection of annual tribute in coinage from the empire's vast network of approximately 200 cities. This financial support enabled the empire to thrive and expand its influence. However, the empire's downfall was ultimately attributed to the wealth acquired through Persian coinage, which funded its adversaries. This book aims to survey and illustrate the diverse range of silver and gold coinages employed during this period. It explores how coins complement the literary sources and provide valuable insights into the monetary history of the era that would otherwise remain unknown. By examining nearly 200 examples, this book offers an accessible introduction to both the history of the Athenian empire and the use of coins as evidence.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 144 x 222 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107015371