Money in Classical Antiquity

A comprehensive analysis of the impact of money on the economy, society and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds.

Sitta von Reden (Author)

9780521453370, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 18 November 2010

260 pages, 10 b/w illus. 5 maps 8 tables
23.5 x 15.7 x 1.6 cm, 0.54 kg

'Sitta von Reden offers an admirable introduction to some of the main themes in current debates on the use of money in the Classical world. As such, [this volume] will serve as an instructive and clearly presented book to be used in courses dealing with ancient economic matters. The book chimes well with the recent trend among ancient economic historians to seek inspiration from the so-called new institutional economics. Indeed, it seems a both careful and nuanced contribution to this body of scholarship.' Peter Fibiger Bang, The Journal of Roman Studies

This book was the first to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the impact of money on the economy, society and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds. It uses new approaches in economic history to explore how money affected the economy in antiquity and demonstrates that the crucial factors in its increasing influence were state-formation, expanding political networks, metal supply and above all an increasing sophistication of credit and contractual law. Covering a wide range of monetary contexts within the Mediterranean over almost a thousand years (c.600 BC–AD 300), it demonstrates that money played different roles in different social and political circumstances. The book will prove an invaluable introduction to upper-level students of ancient money, while also offering perspectives for future research to the specialist.

Introduction
1. Monetization: issues
2. Monetization: cases
3. Monetary networks
4. Cash and credit
5. Prices and price formation: issues
6. Prices and price formation: case study
7. Sacred finance
Epilogue: monetary culture
Appendices
Glossary.

Subject Areas: Coins, banknotes, medals, seals [numismatics WCF], Economic history [KCZ], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1]