Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Ancient coins'

Introduction: The three of several ancient bronze coins were selected for this master thesis research. The coins were considered to belong to the Roman mint of the Egyptian origin in the province of Alexandria. They were excavated in the archaeological site Bubastis ancient city. Archaeometallurgical characterisation of those coins implies to a performance of detailed investigation of the chemical composition and microstructure of the alloy and the analysis of corrosion products of the coins. The archaeometry analysis was performed by means of a multi-analytical approach: X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) will be used to determine the elemental composition and microstructure of the bulk metal and understanding the corrosion mechanism. The origin of the three ancient bronze coins that were chosen for performing the present master thesis research is not known for sure. They are a part of a several coins collection that were purchased at a market in Egypt in Cairo with a purpose of their material study in sense of advantages of conservation science and archaeometry. It is known that nowadays it is not easy to acquire samples of historical value to perform a scientific research, taking in consideration the situation with some museums laws, that sometimes or usually do not support an idea of cooperation between cultural heritage protection and conservation science. On the other hand, a research on material study in most usual cases requires destructive methods of analysis by application of some analytical techniques that consider sample preparation (like cross-sections). ‘It is often difficult to persuade museum curators to permit any sampling technique that involves the physical removal of metal from a coin, although all relevant techniques require the removal of at least some material in order to obtain or expose the ‘heart metal’ of the coin…’ 1 [1] Obviously, the chance of destruction of cultural heritage object is not in any case acceptable, which is one of the reasons of absence of contact between museums and archaeometry and conservation science. In this case, it was necessary to find other ways of obtaining the samples, and the simple idea of their purchase was quite essential.

Les objets quasi-plans sont obtenus à partir d’une matrice qui définit des caractéristiques spécifiques observables dans leur gravure. Les exemples de ce type d’objets incluent les timbres à sec, les timbres amphoriques ou encore les pièces de monnaies anciennes. Les objetsquasi-plans sont par conséquent des formes très plates sur lesquelles un relief caractéristique est inscrit. Reconnaître de tels objets est une tâche compliquée car de nombreux verrous entrent en jeu. Le relief d’objets quasi-plans est sujet à des déformations non rigides et les conditions lumineuses influencent la façon dont ils sont perçus. De plus, ces objets ont pu subir diverses détériorations menant à l’occlusion de certaines parties de leur relief. Dans cette dissertation, nous adressons le problème de la reconnaissance d’objets quasi-plans. Cette thèse est articulée autour de trois grands axes. Le premier axe vise à créer un modèle adapté pour représenter l’objet en exposant ces caractéristiques et en prenant en compte les divers verrous précités. Dans ce but, le concept de carte d’énergie lumineuse est introduit. Les deuxième et troisième axes introduisent des stratégies de reconnaissance. D’un côté, nous proposons l’utilisation de contours de l’objet en tant que données caractéristiques. Ceux-ci sont représentés via un modèle de signature à partir duquel sont calculés des descripteurs. Afin de stocker, retrouver et comparer ces descripteurs, une structure de donnée basée sur des tableaux associatifs, les LACS, est présentée ; elle permet une reconnaissance rapide de contours similaires. D’un autre côté, l’utilisation de textures comme descripteurs de l’objet est envisagée. Dans cette partie, l’étude est centrée sur l’emploi de régions 2D et leur description comme moyen de reconnaissance. Un angle similaire est adopté pour stocker et retrouver l’information ; une structure de donnée proche de celle précédemment décrite, mais plus complexe, est introduite
Quasi-flat objects are obtained from a matrix which defines specific features observable in their engraving. Some examples of these are dry stamps, amphora stamps or ancient coins. Quasi-flat objects are subsequently understood as very flat shapes onto which a characteristic relief is inscribed. Recognizing such objects is not an easy feat as many barriers come into play. The relief of quasi-flat objects is prone to non-rigid deformations and the illumination conditions influence the perception of the object’s relief. Furthermore, these items may have undergone various deteriorations, leading to the occlusion of some parts of their relief. In this thesis, we tackle the issue of recognizing quasi-flat objects. This work is articulated around three major axes. The first one aims at creating a model to represent the objects both by highlighting their main characteristics and taking into account the afore mentioned barriers. To this aim, the concept of multi-light energy map is introduced. The second and third axes introduce strategies for the recognition. On the one hand, we propose the use of contours as main features. Contours are described via a signature model from which specific descriptors are calculated. In order to store, retrieve and match those features, a data structure based on associative arrays, the LACS system, is introduced, which enables a fast retrieval of similar contours. On the other hand, the use of textures is investigated. The scope here is centered on the use of specific 2D regions and their description in order to perform the recognition. A similar angle is taken to store and retrieve the information as a similar, yet a more complex data structure is introduced

The Gorgon is a creature described as terrible in ancient literature. It was depicted with glaring eyes, tusks and a hanging tongue and was a part of Greek antiquity from Archaic to Roman Period. The Gorgon motif has frequently been adorned on different materials. The reason as to why such a creature was depicted has been a subject of interest in earlier studies. The Gorgon motif has been elaborately studied in combination with buildings, armours and vases. A gap of knowledge that is still to be filled is a deeper examination of the Gorgon motifs on coins, which is the inspiration for this study in which the main aim is to approach an understanding of what function the Gorgon motif could have had on Archaic Greek coins. The study is based on a collection of 42 Archaic coins from Athens and Neapolis in Macedon. Through Panofsky's theory of iconography the material is analyzed and discussed via a series of sub-questions; ‘Did the Gorgon motifs differ depending on the location?’, ‘What combination of features appear on the coins?’, ‘To what extent was the Gorgon myth linked to the locations that used the motif and what other myths were used on coins during the same period? ’, ‘Is there a link between the use of Gorgon motifs on coins and on other material objects?’ The paper measures the possible explanations of the Gorgon motif with archaeological finds and ancient texts dealing with the Gorgon, many of which point to the fact that the Gorgon’s function generally served a purpose as an apotropaic symbol. Its function as a possible amulet is investigated using previous research that studies the symbolic significance of the Gorgon, as well as tracing its background and examination of the Gorgon myth to find possible connections with other mythical creatures.
Gorgonen är en varelse som beskrivs som fruktansvärd i den grekiska antikens litteratur. Den avbildas med stirrande ögon, betar och en hängande tunga. Gorgonen har varit en del av den grekiska antiken sedan dess början och har varit ett populärt motiv på olika material. Det har funnits stort intresse i tidigare studier kring anledningarna till att en sådan varelse valts att avbildas. Motivet har studerats omsorgsfullt när det har smyckat byggnader, rustningar och vaser. En lucka som inte har fyllts än inom ämnet är en djupare undersökning av gorgonmotiven på mynt, vilket även är ämnet för denna studie med syftet att närma sig en förståelse för de funktioner som Gorgonmotiven fyllde på mynt under arkaisk grekisk tid. Studien baseras på ett urval av 42 arkaiska mynt från Aten och Neapolis i Makedonien. Genom Panofskys trestegsmodell analyseras gorgonmotiv som framkommer på mynten och svarar på en rad viktiga underfrågor: Skiljer sig gorgonmotiv åt mellan platser Vilka kombinationer av gorgoner förekommer på mynten? I vilken utsträckning var gorgonmyten kopplad till de platser som använde motivet, vilka andra myter användes på mynten under samma period? Finns det ett samband mellan användningen av gorgonmotiv på mynt och på andra objekt? I uppsatsen bedöms möjliga förklaringar till gorgonmotivet med arkeologiska fynd och antika texter som behandlar gorgonen, varav många pekar mot att gorgonens funktion i allmänhet fyllde ett apotropeiskt syfte. Detta undersöks med hjälp av tidigare forskning av gorgonens symboliska betydelse samt kopplingen med andra mytiska varelser genom att spåra dess bakgrund och granskning av gorgonmyten.

'Antigonos Gonatas: Coinage, Money and the Economy' is a presentation and systematic analysis of the precious metal coinages in the name of `king Antigonos'. Most of these issues, including (a) gold staters and silver tetradrachms with the types of Alexander III and (b) silver with individual Antigonid types (tetradrachms, `Pans' and 'Poseidons'; a few drachmae, `Pans' and 'Zeus'; pentobols, `Zeus'), are traditionally assigned to the Makedonian king Antigonos Gonatas (r. 283/277-239 BC). However, their relative chronology and their respective presence in hoards allow for their wider distribution from Gonatas to his later homonym, Antigonos Doson, and for their production at a single mint, demonstrating thus a strong sense of dynastic continuity among Gonatas' successors(chapter 2). It is argued that the numismatic iconography aligns itself with the main threads of the Antigonid international policy established by Gonatas: the Antigonids, following the example of the Temenids, deliberately emphasised their Hellenic identity and piety, in order to become assimilated to the military and political `debates' both in mainland Greece and on an international level. The introduction, in particular, of the second Antigonid tetradrachm type, the Poseidon-head, meant the resumption of the naval claims of Monophthalmos and Poliorketes in the Aegean concomitantly to Gonatas' victorious naval battle against the Ptolemaic fleet at Andros (chapters 2.1,2.4). The analysis of the numismatic material (chapters 3-6) is a prerequisite for a tentative estimation of its approximate quantity and for a better assessment of its distribution pattern. The disproportion between the low annual production rate of these issues and the Antigonid financial requirements may be explained by the use of other precious metal coinages following the Attic weight standard (chapter 7). It is therefore argued that the exercise by the Antigonids of pro-active economic and administrative control was limited and that the introduction of the Antigonid individual issues was inspired by political alongside economic forces.

viii, 113 p.
This thesis analyzes various literary, numismatic, and epigraphical narratives of the Roman civil war of 69CE, and the representations of the four emperors who fought in it. In particular the focus is on how the narratives and representations relate to one another. Such an investigation provides us with useful insight into the people and events of 69 and how contemporaries viewed the actors and the events. These various presentations, most notably the works of five ancient historians and biographers, give 69 the distinction of being one of the best documented years in all antiquity. Historical scholarship has typically sought to determine which of these authors was the most accurate on the points which they disagreed. These points of difference, largely subjective opinion and therefore equally valid, illuminate instead the diverse ways in which an event can be interpreted. This thesis will focus on why there is such diversity and its usefulness to the historian.
Committee in charge: Dr. John Nicols, Chair; Dr. Sean Anthony, Member; Dr. Mary Jaeger, Member

This thesis presents a new systematic arrangement of the coinage of the Gallic Empire as the basis for a revised edition of Roman Imperial Coinage. The coinage of all denominations, gold, silver and bronze, are unified into a single structure of issues. In 260, Postumus revolted against the Roman emperor Gallienus and took control of the Gauls. The chronology of his reign and of his successors is reviewed. The short reign of Domitianus II is interpreted as a revolt against the elevation of Tetricus. A rearrangement of Tetricus’s coinage supported by the epigraphic evidence proves that the elevation of Tetricus II to the Caesarship must be redated from 273 to 272. The location of the mints is discussed. Conclusive hoard evidence proves that the main mint was located at Trier, and not at Cologne. The study of iconography implies that choices were not necessarily made by the imperial authorities, but that more freedom was given to engravers than is usually assumed. The use of earlier coins as an iconographic repertoire strongly suggests that earlier coins were brought to the mint to be melted down. Metrological analyses of gold coins of the Gallic emperors show for the first time that silver was deliberately added to the alloy, following a practice introduced by Valerian and continued by Gallienus. The debasement of the ‘silver’ coinage is studied in parallel with its contemporary evolution within the Central Empire. Coin circulation is used in order to determine the frontiers of the Gallic Empire. It is demonstrated that the Gallic Empire reached its apogee between 262 and 265, ruling over Britain, the Gauls, Hispania and Raetia. The nature of the Gallic Empire is discussed. It is argued that this ‘Empire’ should not be viewed as a form of separatism, as often claimed, but as the unintended result of a status quo following Postumus’s acclamation and the long postponement of a final confrontation against the emperor of Rome.

This thesis investigates the Roman idea of fortuna, by examining its representation in different media (coins, cults, philosophy, and literature) and the thought worlds which these media inhabited. Drawing chiefly on evidence from the late Republic and the first two centuries of the Empire, I examine the interactions between the meanings of fortuna and the contexts in which they occur, showing how fortuna was used to construct understandings of broader social processes. Chapter 1 charts how various groups and individuals appropriated the religious character of fortuna into discourses of power to promote their interests, from the first archaic cults through to Imperial fortunae. By propitiating fortuna, the founders and worshippers of these cults attempted to ‘tame’ fortuna by representing themselves or the groups to which they belonged as particularly favoured by this deity. Chapter 2 examines how literary authors used fortuna to talk about ideas of social status, luck, chance, and fate. How these authors chose to describe fortuna, or which powers they chose to ascribe to her, were choices frequently determined by the text’s relationship to the structures of Roman power. Chapter 3 examines the iconography of fortuna on Imperial coins, for which I used a statistical methodology to quantify her numismatic representation. This sets our understanding of the interconnections between numismatic iconography and cultural and political history on a firmer basis and allows us to analyse more precisely how fortuna was imagined in imperial ideology. I look at the periods in which fortuna was most often deployed and when her iconography and legends underwent the greatest changes, discussing the political and cultural contexts that motivated these uses. Chapter 4 addresses philosophical conceptions of fortuna. I look at what was peculiarly Roman about how Roman Stoics and Epicureans figured fortuna in their physics and ethics, focusing especially on the philosophical and cultural implications of their concern with fortuna.

A proposta deste trabalho é estudar as moedas da Cirenaica emitidas entre o início do domínio de Ptolomeu I na região e a morte do último governante independente, Magas, em 258 a.C. O nosso objetivo é analisar, a partir dos tipos monetários, qual a expressão política das facções existentes nas cidades da Cirenaica e qual o posicionamento desses grupos em relação ao controle lagida. Lançando mão da comparação entre os tipos monetários, do uso de determinadas inscrições associadas aos tipos e aos principais acontecimentos políticos e da adoção sucessiva de diversos padrões monetários pelas cidades, discutiremos como foi construído o discurso político da autoridade emissora dessas cidades como resposta aos principais acontecimentos desses anos.
The purpose of this research is study the Cyrenaicas coins issued between the beginning of the Ptolemys control in the region and the death of the last independent government, Magas, in 258 a.C. Our goal is analyse, from the monetary types, the political expression of the citys factions and what the position of these groups about a lagids control. Through the comparision between the types, the use of some inscriptions associated to the types and to the main political events and the successive adoption of various monetary standards by the cities, we will discuss how was built the political message of the issuing authority as an answer to the main events of these years.

Cette étude, réalisée dans le cadre d’une thèse de doctorat, s’appuie à la fois sur des missions de terrain (prospections, étude du mobilier amphorique issu de ces examens de surface et de fouilles archéologiques) et sur des recherches documentaires. Nous avons débuté par l’analyse des sources écrites et iconographiques qui témoignent de la vigne et du vin. Elles nous renseignent sur l’importance de ces denrées en Cilicie depuis l’époque archaïque. Nous avons poursuivi avec les installations agricoles que nous avons répertoriées. Celles-ci traduisent la place de la viniculture en Cilicie durant l’Antiquité. Leur nombre substantiel corrobore le témoignage des sources sur l’importance du vin. Les prospections pédestres nous ont permis d’identifier plusieurs ateliers amphoriques datés de l’époque romaine. Ces découvertes attestent que des amphores, récipients privilégiés du commerce maritime, étaient produites dans cette province orientale. Une partie de la production viticole était donc exportée. Le matériel récolté sur les centres de production fut étudié en vue d’établir une chrono-typologie des six types d’emballages de transport maritime façonnés localement. Enfin, le recensement des sites de consommation où ces récipients furent exportés permet de dresser la carte de diffusion des amphores locales et donc de retracer les réseaux d’échanges dans lesquels était impliquée la Cilicie. Ces données sont indispensables en vue d’appréhender l’importance tenue par le vin de cette région littorale dans le cadre plus général du commerce maritime de l’Empire romain
This study was carried out in the context of a Ph.D thesis. It is based both on field work (surveys, studies of amphorae collected during surveys and during archaeological excavations) and on documentary research. First, the analyse of ancient sources, written and iconographic, attest to the importance of oil and wine as surplus commodities in this Mediterranean province. Investigated press elements furnish insight to the place of Cilician viticulture during Antiquity. The substantial number of these elements reinforce the assertions of ancient sources that wine was a signficant surplus commodity of this region. During our survey we identified several Roman-era kiln-sites in the region. Their presence demonstrates that Cilician transport amphorae, or maritime shipping containers, were produced to accomodate this trade. Analysis of amphora remains collected at the kiln sites and nearby excavations enabled us to construct a chrono-typology of six amphorae that were produced locally. Last, we compared our results with those of materials published at excavations conducted throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. This enabled us to trace the distribution patterns and commercial networks of Cilician surplus commodities. These data become crucial to our understanding of the place of Cilician wine trade in the wider Roman Mediterranean economy

The main objective of this thesis is to establish the circulation dynamics of late roman coinage in the roman ciuitates of Girona and Empúries during the historical period known as the Late Roman Empire. To do so, we studied the coins recovered during archaeological works in the aforementioned territories, which lead to the constitution of an exhaustive catalogue of the coinage. In turn, the catalogue allowed the statistical analyses of the same, as well as the generation of a global vision of the coinage found in the region. Under the premise that regional economies differ among themselves, we believe that the local study of regional economies, such as the one studied here, can provide a better understanding of the global roman dynamics of the Empire. The present thesis goes beyond the study of coinage circulation, and extends to topics such as the nature of the economy – attempting to determine whether the economy was monetary or weight based – as well as the conception of the coin in the economic system, while also determining if it had a trust or a weight value. We also pretend to characterize the circulating coinage on the basis of an array of factors: metal, type, chronology, mint, and emissary. Through the study of these factors we can determine which were the coins that reached the studied territory. Moreover, the importance of the imitative coinage is also evaluated, given that it is a key to understand the economy in the zone. Finally, we compare data extracted of the studied territory with other published data from different territories of Spain and Europe, in an attempt to see if there are overarching similar dynamics between those appreciated in the Girona and Empúries territories during the Late Roman Empire and their Spanish and European counterparts.
Aquest treball té com a principal objectiu establir els patrons de circulació de la moneda baiximperial al territori de les ciuitates de Girona i Empúries durant el període que es coneix com a baix Imperi romà. Serà a través d’un exhaustiu estudi de tot el material numismàtic recuperat en excavacions arqueològiques, que quedarà agrupat en un catàleg, des d’on s’elaboren les estadístiques i el buidatge de dades que permeten definir quin tipus de moneda fou la més present en el territori i plantejar-nos el perquè. Partim de la premissa que les economies regionals poden ser molt diferents i que és a través d’estudis locals com el que aquí plantegem des d’on es pot abordar la confecció de models econòmics globals per al baix Imperi, així com veure l’afectació real de les reformes i els canvis en el valor nominal de la moneda sobre el terreny. A més de la circulació pròpiament dita s’aborden altres temes, essent un dels més destacats establir quina era el tipus d’economia imperant al territori: de base natural o per contra monetitzada; però també quina era la concepció de la pròpia moneda dins el sistema econòmic: si posseïa un valor fiduciari o era un valor de base ponderal. Es realitza també una caracterització de diferents aspectes de la moneda circulant, tant del tipus majoritari com de la resta. Així doncs a partir de l’estudi del metall, el nominal, la cronologia, la procedència i l’emissor s’estableixen quines són les monedes que més arribaren al territori i plantegem quines foren les més usades de manera plausible. El pes de les monedes d’imitació dins dels circuits monetaris també és avaluat, atès que és un element clau en l’aproximació al tipus d’economia. Finalment, es comparen les dades extretes en aquest territori amb les que altres estudiosos han analitzat en altres zones, amb la voluntat de copsar possibles dinàmiques similars en altres regions imperials.

Assos se trouve sur la côte sud de la Troade, entre le Cap Lekton et Gargara, juste en face de l’île de Lesbos. Les fouilles effectuées à Assos entre 1981-2004 sous la direction de M. Ümit Serdaroğlu nous ont fournis des monnaies grecques et romaines provinciales de la ville en bronze qui sont le sujet de la thèse. Un catalogue dressé en rassemblant toutes les monnaies d’Assos en bronze publiées dans les collections publiques, les collections privées, les catalogues de vente et les publications de fouilles nous a donné des informations concernant le monnayage de la ville: leurs datations, types, légendes, dénomination et le volume des émissions. Les monnaies étrangères trouvées dans les fouilles sont également examinées afin de voir la circulation monétaire dans la ville et dans la région. Cette étude nous a donné des renseignements supplémentaires non seulement sur le monnayage de la ville mais aussi sur l’histoire de la ville et des autres villes de la région
Assos is situated in the south of Troas region, on the coastline between the cities of Cap Lekton and Gargara and just opposite Lesbos Island.The coins of Greek and Roman provinces found during the excavations conducted by the leadership of Professor Ümit Serdaroğlu between the years of 1981 and 2004 constitute the subject of this thesis.The catalogue which contains the coins of all the published public and private collections and auctions together with those found in the excavation informs us about the mint policy of the city. Moreover the coins which belonged to foreign cities and kingdoms and also were acquired during the excavation take part in the thesis.The research on the coins gives us considerable information about the history of the cities in the region as well as the circulation of the coins within the city

Cette thèse de doctorat traite de l’histoire de Poseidonia, une cité grecque d’Italie du Sud fondée vers 600 av. J.-C. Elle étudie son histoire sur les trois siècles de son existence à partir de toutes les sources documentaires qu’il est possible de réunir. Cette partie forme le contexte historique sur lequel s’appuie l’histoire monétaire de la cité grecque. La seconde partie répertorie et classe toutes les monnaies qui ont été frappées par Poseidonia entre 530 av. J.-C., date à laquelle elle inaugure un monnayage d’argent selon la technique incuse, jusqu’aux derniers bronzes émis par la cité dans les premières années du IIIe siècle. Elle analyse sa politique monétaire et ses réformes, et les replace dans le contexte historique
This thesis is about the history of Poseidonia, a Greek colony of Southern Italy founded c. 600 B.C. It studies her history on the three centuries of her existence from every source which is possible to find. This first part forms the historical context on which the monetary history of the city relies on. The second part catalogues and classifies all coins that have been minted by Poseidonia between 530 B.C., when the coinage appears following the incuse technique, up to the last bronzes minted in the first years of the third century B.C. It analyses the monetary policy and reforms, and place them in their historical context

This study examines how the Roman emperors c. AD. 260–295 attempt at maintaining their power-bases through legitimation of their claims to power, with reference to various potentially powerful groups of society, such as the military, the inhabitants of the provinces and the senate in Rome. The purpose has been to discern the development of ‘Roman imperial ideology’ in an age which has frequently been referred to as an ‘age of military anarchy.’ Focus is on how claims to power could be expressed through visual media. Of such media, mainly the coins struck for the emperors c. AD 260-295 have been studied. A close investigation has been made of the iconography of these coins. Furthermore, the ways in which coin-images are modified and combined with various legends are studied. An additional purpose of this investigation has been to provide a comment on the general potential of conveying visual imagery and messages on objects such as coins and medallions.

The study argues that novel, intricate and multi-layered images were created on the coins struck for the emperors c. AD 260-295. Furthermore, it is suggested that these coin-images were created to assume the function of larger-scale expressions of imperial authority, such as triumphal arches and imperial statues. This adaption of coinage was made because there was a need for intensified communication of imperial authority. This need arose due to the incessant warfare of the age, and a process of regionalization of the empire, which was connected to this warfare. The conclusion is that these coins provide an illustration of the development of the Roman empire in the second half of the third century. This was a development by which the city of Rome lost its importance in favour of regional capitals, and ultimately in favour of Constantinople.

碩士
立德大學
資訊傳播研究所
98
In recent years, with the assistance of government policy and the popularization of information technology, the trend of Taiwan's digital content industry seems very active. Then, pattern innovative applications have been development, and making the sharing of material becomes a demand. Therefore, how to extract a useful material from a large number of patterns is an important problem for modern design industry. In Web 2.0 information management is complex and subjective, stress of personal. Because the complex network management and personal information retrieval system virtual categories combined, so different information and classifications can readings exist without any conflict. The main purpose of this thesis is built upon a database sharing system of rubbing patterns for ancient coins. Based on pattern data with information management, digital method, and Web 2.0 with folksonomy, patterns of ancient coins will be converted into a more associative meaning of the design vocabulary. Thus, the pattern data can be systematically express. Pattern generated by this database system can provide a digital image for the innovative design and value-added applications. Proven modern information management stresses how to make information processing efficiency increases with the increase in value-added information.

碩士
崑山科技大學
視覺傳達設計研究所
105
The China's Warring States Period over two thousand years ago was a flourishing era as well as a period when “art” and “spirit of faith culture” quickly accumulated. During the period, many brilliant techniques and technologies were created. The development of the bronze was unprecedented, and the bronze currency played a unique role in the history of Great China Region and resulted in interest and creation in currency. But so far creations related to the bronze currency are not many. This article believes that the historical heritage which used to be brilliant should have its own stage in the world, so this article aims to create, design, interpret and plan the bronze currency which few people are interested in to bring it on the stage of “splendid history” once again by sufficient literature analysis, discussion and subsequent design and plan. The theme of this article is the combination of “belief” in coins of China's Warring States Period and belief in “little but certain happiness” which modern people also need with “The Four Handsome and Solid Childes”. Design elements are extracted from the four types of currency in China's Warring States Period, which are combined with their corresponding countries to be the design basis. Then different national culture and spirit represented by the all-influential Four Childes in China’s Warring States Period as well as the style and design in this article are given metaphysical meaning. For example, the Four Childes, representing different fortune respectively, add “additional value” to an item of them, so that the Four Childes not only have practical function, but also spiritual comfort, making them considerably different from the creative design works of history and culture.

La dynastie des Flaviens est souvent mal connue et appréciée en raison de sa situation chronologique, « coincée » entre la famille des descendants de César et d’Auguste et celle allant de Trajan à Marc Aurèle. Elle passe parfois pour une simple dynastie de « transition » qui aurait uniquement servi de passerelle entre deux familles considérées comme plus brillantes qui ont par ailleurs laissé un souvenir plus durable. En un peu plus d’un quart de siècle (69-96), Vespasien, Titus et Domitien ont pourtant davantage fait pour la stabilité de Rome et de l’Empire que certains de leurs prédécesseurs ou successeurs. Sorti vainqueur des troubles civils de l’année des quatre empereurs (68-69), Vespasien ramena la paix en Orient et en Italie en plus de s’attacher à stabiliser les institutions et de reconstituer les finances de l’État, passablement écornées par les dernières années du Principat de Néron (54-68) et la guerre civile elle-même. Plus que la paix et la stabilité à l’intérieur et aux frontières de l’Empire, il fit cependant en sorte de refonder les bases institutionnelles du Principat en assumant sa transformation en un régime monarchique et héréditaire. Un principe parfaitement admis puisque ses deux fils adultes, Titus et Domitien, lui succédèrent sans difficulté. Davantage peut-être que les récits laissés par les sources littéraires anciennes, les inscriptions romaines et italiennes ainsi que les monnaies émises par l’atelier de Rome sont probablement le meilleur témoignage permettant de saisir le plus précisément et le plus profondément l’idée que les Flaviens se faisaient d’eux-mêmes et du pouvoir dont ils étaient investis. Le contenu de leur titulature officielle comme leurs choix iconographiques permettent ainsi de dégager leurs différents thèmes de propagande qui laissent finalement apparaitre une vraie continuité dans leur idéologie du pouvoir et leur manière de gouverner. Vespasien a ainsi posé des fondations idéologiques et politiques que ses fils ont globalement poursuivies et respectées, ce qui renforce l’idée selon laquelle les Flaviens ont effectivement suivi un « programme » qui les distinguait de leurs prédécesseurs et de leurs successeurs. Malgré des différences parfois importantes dans leurs pratiques, les inscriptions et l’iconographie monétaire permettent ainsi de mettre en lumière le fait que Titus et Domitien ont finalement moins cherché à faire preuve d’originalité qu’à s’inscrire dans la continuité de l’œuvre de leur père afin de garantir le maintien de la paix et avec elle la prospérité et la stabilité de l’État, et avec elles la satisfaction et la tranquillité de l’ensemble de la société.
The Flavian dynasty is not the most famous of the imperial families who ruled the Roman Empire, especially because it seems to be badly located between two more prestigious dynasties: the descendants of Julius Caesar and Augustus, and those, to Marcus Aurelius, of Trajan. Moreover, the Flavian are sometimes considered only as insignificant because of the shortness of the time they stayed at power. However, for a little more than a quarter century (69-96), Vespasian, Titus and Domitian worked a lot, and more than some of their predecessors or successors, to ensure the stability of Rome and of the entire Empire. Winner of the Year of Four Emperors (68-69), Vespasian brought back peace in the East and in Italy, and intended to stabilize the institutions and restore the finances of the State, partly ruined by the last years of Nero’s reign and the civil war. More than peace and stability, inside the Empire and on the borders, he ruled to rebuild the institutional basis of the Principate by assuming its transformation into a monarchic and hereditary regime. This idea was wholly admitted because his two adult sons, Titus and Domitian, succeeded him with no difficulty. Perhaps more than the account of the ancient literary sources, Italian and Roman inscriptions and coins from the mint of Rome are the best testimony allowing us to catch, accurately and deeply, how the Flavian were considering themselves and the power they had. The content of their official titulature alongside with the iconography of their coins are helpful to determine the themes of their propaganda from which appears a real continuity in their ideology and their way of ruling power. Vespasian laid ideological and political foundations that his two sons globally respected and pursued, reinforcing the idea that the Flavians had their own « political program » which distinguished them from the predecessors and successors. Despite some differences in their practices, sometimes big, the inscriptions and monetary iconography of Titus and Domitian were finally less original than an attempt to pursue their father’s work in order to guarantee the peacekeeping, and with it, the stability and the prosperity of the State, and beyond, the satisfaction and calmness of the whole society.

Praca obejmuje analizę występowania znalezisk importów rzymskich na obszarach intensywnej produkcji żelaza, zwanymi centrami hutniczymi w okresie wpływów rzymskich. Badania koncentrowały w rejonie Świętokrzyskiego Centrum Hutniczego i Mazowieckiego Centrum Hutniczego1 . Celem pracy było zbadanie w jakim stopniu występowanie importów rzymskich ma związek z produkcją żelaza na tych terenach i odpowiedzi na pytanie, o czas i charakter napływu tych importów na ziemie objęte badaniami. Jednym z założeń było ustalenie funkcji przedmiotów rzymskich odkrywanych w rejonach największych ośrodków metalurgicznych. W pracy zostały uwzględnione zarówno znaleziska monet jak i skarbów monet oraz wszystkie inne zarejestrowane kategorie importów przemysłowych. Z analizy oraz skartografowania wszystkich znalezisk uzyskane zostały dane o znacznym nagromadzeniu przede wszystkim szkła na badanych obszarach, naczyń szklanych, paciorków i stopów szkła. Opracowanie zabytków niepublikowanych przyczyniło się do „odkrycia” wyjątkowych importów rzymskich m.in. fragmentu flakonika na perfumy i powiązania tych odkryć ze znaleziskami bursztynu. Z rejonów ośrodków metalurgicznych znamy wyjątkowe znaleziska importów rzymskich, takie jak lustro, malowany szklany puchar, sygnety czy miecz ze Starachowic. Zwrócono szczególną uwagę na unikatowy charakter tych odkryć oraz na występowanie w rejonie Świętokrzyskiego Centrum Hutniczego grobów „książęcych”. Ostateczne podsumowania materiału doprowadziło do odkrycia tzw. „szlaków” wiodących przez teren obydwu analizowanych ośrodków metalurgicznych. Wytyczone zostały one przy pomocy koncentracji znalezisk importów rzymskich. Efektem pracy jest uzyskanie informacji na temat dystrybucji żelaza i dystrybucji bursztynu, który był tu przywożony jako surowiec, a następnie obrabiany na miejscu. Bursztyn był jednym z towarów, którym „płacono” za żelazo, a także był wymieniany na importy rzymskie o czym świadczą odkrycia w pracowniach obróbki bursztynu. Udało się także zaobserwować i dobrze uzasadnić istnienie „a port of trade” u zachodniej granicy mazowieckiego ośrodka metalurgicznego. Bardzo ważnym wynikiem pracy jest określenie typologiczne i ustalenie chronologii wielu niepublikowanych zabytków, a co za tym idzie pozwoliło to na uściślenie kwestii dotyczącej datowań stanowisk metalurgicznych. Niemniej istotne jest zebranie w katalogu wszystkich znanych dotąd znalezisk importów rzymskich, w tym pozyskanych podczas licznych kwerend archiwalnych i muzealnych. 1 Pod względem kulturowym objęły osadnictwo kultury przeworskiej.
The work includes an analysis of the occurrence of Roman imports in the areas of intensive iron production, called metallurgical centers during the Roman period. The research focused on the Świętokrzyskie Metallurgical Center and Mazovian Metallurgical Center. The aim of the work was to examine to what extent the occurrence of Roman imports is related to the production of iron in these areas and the answer to the question about the time and nature of the inflow of these imports to the lands covered by the research. One of the assumptions was to determine the function of Roman objects discovered in the regions of the largest metallurgical centers. The work includes both coin finds and treasure of coins as well as all other registered categories of industrial imports. Analyzes and maps of all finds yielded data on significant accumulation of mainly glass in the studied areas, glassware, beads and glass alloys. The elaboration of unpublished monuments contributed to the "discovery" of exceptional Roman imports, among others Fragment of a perfume bottle and connections of these discoveries with amber finds. We know the unique finds of Roman imports from the regions of metallurgical centers, such as a mirror, a painted glass cup, signets or a sword from Starachowice. Particular attention has been paid to the unique nature of these discoveries and the presence of "princely" graves in the Świętokrzyskie Metallurgical Center. The final summary of the material led to the discovery of the so-called "Routes" leading through the area of both analyzed metallurgical centers. They were delineated by the concentration of Roman imports. The result of the work is obtaining information on the distribution of iron and the distribution of amber, which was imported here as a raw material and then processed on site. Amber was one of the goods that were "paid" for iron, and was also exchanged for Roman imports, as evidenced by the discoveries in the amber processing workshops. It was also possible to observe and well justify the existence of "a port of trade" at the western border of the Mazovian metallurgical center. A very important result of the work is a typological description and establishing the chronology of many unpublished monuments, and thus allowed to clarify the issue regarding the dating of metallurgical positions. However, it is important to collect all Roman importations known in the catalog, including those acquired during numerous archival and museum queries.

A study of the cultural and ideological effects of Roman citizenship on Greeks living in the first three centuries AD. The ramifications of the extension of citizenship to these Greeks illustrates that ideas such as 'culture' and 'identity' are not static terms, but constructions of a particular social milieu at any given point in time. Roman citizenship functioned as a kind of ideological apparatus that, when given to a non-Roman, questioned that individual's native identity. This thesis addresses, via an examination of four sources, all of whom were Greeks with Roman citizenship - Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Paul in the Acts of the Apostles, Ulpian, the minters of eastern civic coins - the extent to which one could remain 'Greek' while participating in one of the most Roman institutions of the Empire. Utilizing these sources with the aid of a number of theoretical bases (notably Louis Althusser and Pierre Bourdieu), this study attempts to come to a conclusion about the nature of 'Romanness' in the ancient world.