Money in Classical Antiquity

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.

• Combines anthropological and economic approaches to money and explores their relevance for ancient history
• Examines coinage in detail, demonstrating its relationship to monetary and economic history
• Includes glossary, maps, illustrations of dominant coins, and a thematic up-to-date bibliographical essay for the organisation of course work