Roman History from Coins

by Michael Grant

In this 1968 study, Michael Grant examines the varied ways in which Rome used currency to inform direct or deceive public opinion and also considers results of this exploitation. Cunning historians can read in the coins matters of art politics, religion, economics even personalities not to be found in surviving or if found, can set what the books say against what the coins say. Professor Grant astutely masters his difficult and complex subject matter, producing a brief exposition of it in words which the general reader and specialist alike can understand and profit from. Complemented by a series of half-tone plates, Professor Grant's book is an excellent introduction for students of history to the value of coins as evidence for their subject.

Genres: Roman History

95 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 1968

About the author

Michael Grant was an English classisist, numismatist, and author of numerous popular books on ancient history. His 1956 translation of Tacitus’s Annals of Imperial Rome remains a standard of the work. He once described himself as "one of the very few freelances in the field of ancient history: a rare phenomenon". As a popularizer, his hallmarks were his prolific output and his unwillingness to oversimplify or talk down to his readership.

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Reviews

[Steve R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1958, this relatively short survey of the numismatic history of Rome was quite enlightening. The most interesting element was the tremendous variety of coin patterns, inscriptions, figures and purposes. Many plates showing the actual coins were included in an appendix. Lacking any rapid form of widespread communication as well as dealing with a largely illiterate population, emperors used their coins as a form of propaganda and information. Money went everywhere, could be seen by almost everybody at one time or another, and was both small and simple enough to attract interest and convey messages.

Augustus had his head shown with a beard for the time during which he’d vowed never to shave until his great uncle’s assassins were all dead. They were inscribed ‘Son of a God’, ‘Chief Priest’ and ‘Father of the Country’ to establish his preeminence. Nero had himself depicted along with his mother on coins issued prior to his murdering her, but his head was larger so all would know who held the real power. Later, the observe side of his coins depicted a lyre so as to emphasize his artistic pursuits. Antony and Cleopatra both appeared on the same coins, Vespasian had a cedar tree accompany his coins which were inscribed ‘Judea conquered’, Trajan showed the eighteen-pier bridge he’d constructed across the Danube to commemorate his subjugation of Dacia. Hadrian, who spent much of his time as emperor travelling, issued a series of eighteen different coins depicting each of the provinces he’d visited.

The economic activities and extents of the reach of Roman power are indicated by the fact that coins have been found in Armenia, which was on the road by which silk for the aristocracy was imported from China. Also, coins from southern India indicate the development of a taste for pepper in Rome. I do wish the author had spent more effort on determining if it was inflation that caused the rapid debasement of the coinage which occurred in the third century.

Inscriptions on the coins provide ‘pious hopes, wishful thinking and downright lies’. For instance, Otho, one of the rulers in the tumultuous ‘year of the four emperors’ inscribed his coins ‘peace throughout the world’.

Slight, informative, diverting and almost always interesting.
Recommended.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great little source book on Roman coinage. History facts are interesting. Enjoyed this quick read.

[Bryan Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative book, but also very academic. Good for the dedicated collector.