Coinage in Roman Syria, 64BC-AD253
The thesis examines the production, circulation and significance of coinage in northern Syria during the first three centuries of Roman control of the province. The coinages of the region are distinct and share features which justify their study as a group. The thesis includes a catalogue of the issues produced by the thirteen cities in the region which minted coins, and the coinage of the Kingdom of Commagene. A study of site finds, drawn from published excavations and first-hand examination of unpublished material in the middle east, hoards, and countermarks, highlights features of the patterns of circulation of these coinages in Syria, as well as 'foreign' issues circulating in the region. The distribution of Syrian issues outside Syria, the longevity of coins in circulation, and the effects of debasements of the silver coinage upon the circulating medium are also considered. Central to the study is the coinage of Antioch, one of the major imperial mints in the Roman Empire whose coinage has been largely neglected, and has never been fully catalogued until now. Separate sections study the metrology and denominational structure of sequences of issues, and broader surveys cover the relationship of Syrian
Butcher, Kevin Edward Templar
Archaeology
Coinage in Roman Syria, 64BC-AD253. The thesis examines the production, circulation and significance of coinage in northern Syria during the first three centuries of Roman control of the province. The coinages of the region are distinct and share features which justify their study as a group. The thesis includes a catalogue of the issues produced by the thirteen cities in the region which minted coins, and the coinage of the Kingdom of Commagene. A study of site finds, drawn from published excavations and first-hand examination of unpublished material in the middle east, hoards, and countermarks, highlights features of the patterns of circulation of these coinages in Syria, as well as 'foreign' issues circulating in the region. The distribution of Syrian issues outside Syria, the longevity of coins in circulation, and the effects of debasements of the silver coinage upon the circulating medium are also considered. Central to the study is the coinage of Antioch, one of the major imperial mints in the Roman Empire whose coinage has been largely neglected, and has never been fully catalogued until now. Separate sections study the metrology and denominational structure of sequences of issues, and broader surveys cover the relationship of Syrian
coinage roman syria bc_ad examines production_circulation significance coinage northern_syria first roman control province coinage region distinct share_feature justify study group include catalogue issue produce thirteen city region mint coin coinage kingdom study site find drawn publish_excavation first_hand examination unpublished_material middle_east hoard highlight feature pattern circulation coinage syria well foreign issue circulate region distribution syrian issue outside syria longevity coin circulation effect silver_coinage upon circulate medium also_consider central study coinage antioch one_major imperial mint roman_empire whose coinage largely_neglect never_fully catalogue now separate section study metrology denominational structure sequence issue broad survey cover relationship syrian