From Caesar to Augustus (c. 49 BC–AD 14): Using Coins as Sources

Guides to the Coinage of the Ancient World

by Clare Rowan

This unique book provides the student of Roman history with an accessible and detailed introduction to Roman and provincial coinage in the late Republic and early Empire in the context of current historical themes and debates. Almost two hundred different coins are illustrated at double life size, with each described in detail, and technical Latin and numismatic terms are explained. Chapters are arranged chronologically, allowing students to quickly identify material relevant to Julius Caesar, the second triumvirate, the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra, and the Principate of Augustus. Iconography, archaeological contexts, and the economy are clearly presented. A diverse array of material is brought together in a single volume to challenge and enhance our understanding of the transition from Republic to Empire.

Genres: History

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2018

Reviews

[James Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have looked at a lot of Augustus' coins and have used them as part of teh A-Level, but have always had a sense of huge gaps in my knowledge: where were the mints, how many coins were struck, by who, how did provincial and imperial mints and types interact....etc etc.?

This book addresses these areas through hundreds of illustrated examples (though a bit of colour wouldn't come amiss); through some theoretical discussion of the various purposes of money as fiduciary or intrinsic value; through symbolic purposes (I never knew some cities only ever minted once when founded showing the walls and buildings they hoped one day to have!) which differ with changing audiences and times (some coins circulated for centuries).

There is much much more in this book too: competitive coining in the triumviral period; imitative types; how die patterns allow frequency calculations....the list goes on.

I would recommend this to anyone studying coins or the period 49BCE-14CE or just interested in how we (and it turns out ancient authors too) use coins to understand the past.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall: a really engaging and accessible overview that was genuinely thrilling to read. Loved reading this, from start to finish. Brings up questions of political power and how it uses visual and textual and material propaganda. How coins react to and engage with contemporary concerns and serve as this point of contact between rulers, nobility, soldiers, and common people.


Final section thoughts:
-Augustus spreading years of coin propaganda to set up his successors only for them to die, thus resulting in a quick turnaround to put out coins featuring Tiberius.. crazy
-Chapter 6 was really interesting!! Cutting coins in half to get smaller denominations, scratching out Augustus’s face as protest, throwing them in fountains… lots of good stuff!

[Artur Azizkhanian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed information

Interesting historical information provided with visuals and summaries. The book sticks to relevant information from the time period. I would want another book for an earlier period in time.

[Donald Scarinci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about history uses the coins as a taking off point to

[Drianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great introduction to numismatics and how coins can illuminate Roman history during the times of Caesar and Augustus (as the title says!).