Iconograhy Flashcards
Greek and roman iconography: IDs, cultural and political signif
What kind of mythology often appeared on G coinage?
aetiology
patron deities
geographical deities
‘place and history’
What was the dual function of using iconography related to a specific place?
symbol of local pride and identity
means of validating and identifying the coin and its origins
When was the key period in the formation of a roman tradition of coin iconography?
140 BCE-c14 CE
What was distinctive about republican tradition of coinage?
variability in types
use of events
appearance of indivs
decline in the distinction of obv and rev
In what way does the changing typology of republican coinage provide insight as to the politics?
unpredictable climate with power depending on actions of individuals made assertions of power/status important tools - this is what coins could do
In what political environment did the republican coinage exist?
competitive elite scene on basis of status and influence
What element of Pompey’s iconography was particularly significant? Meaning?
the globe
in multiple configurations, most notably a figure standing with one foot atop the globe, it was a message of global domination following his triumphs in the east (3rd Mithridatic War, 73-63 BCE)
What should be borne in mind with regards to the meaning of iconography used on coins in republican p?
the audience was fellow elites who would more likely understand the use of specific imagery than those not politically engaged
What themes in R iconography were used as tools of self-promotion by R republican elites on their coinage?
military success
benefactions
magistracies
ancestral links
Example of magistracy being celebrated on republican coinage?
P Porcius Laeca in military dress crying ‘provoco’ facing a togate citizen - refers to a legal appeal
Example of ancestral links being used on republican coins?
Iullii c100 BCE using legendary ancestor Venus as means to assert status.
PLUS venus in biga referring to military status also
How does Levick refer to coins in their political role in the republican p?
they had a ‘publicity value’
How did coins function as long-term political tools?
almost became monuments themselves with circulation long after they were minted and depiction of events/successes became a means of commemoration
What deity has been argued as having assimilated coin with public memory/commemoration?
Juno Moneta
She was associated with the Capital mint in the fact that her temple/shrine was in proximity. Her role is understood to have been related to memory, remembrance, and reminders which could then have impacted the associations/understanding of coin function in Rome.
When was the imperial portrait first used on roman coinage? What had obv portrait been previously?
44 BCE, Julius Caesar. Became established practice by the reign of Augustus.
most consistently Roma but occasionally Victory
What literary evidence is there as to the signif of imperial portraits on coins? Signif?
Arrian book 4 - Epictetus: ‘Whose stamp does this sesterce bear? Trajan’s? Take it. Nero’s? Chuck it out.’
Represents both use of portraits as a means of securing monetary validity as well as the role of charismatic individuality in the sense that the reputation of the emperor influenced how the coins could be perceived.
How could imperial coins influence political power?
they represented roman influence/power - the portrait on the coin thus represented WHO the authority of Rome invested solely in
What changed in iconographical use under Augustus? Example?
both obv and rev started to be used as canvases for imperial political messages, not always distinctive enough to tell them apart
14-37 CE aurei with a portrait of Augustus on one side and Tiberius on the other.
What characteristic of coinage made them effective as tools of political messaging?
repetition and frequency of engagement
What is the term for types that represent the name of the state/mint the coins were from? Function?
canting types
Enabled the coin to be recognised and thus validated, even by illiterate users
What happened to Ath owls far abroad that represents the more ephemeral political AND monetary function of coinage?
cut up and melted to bullion
What was the reasoning behind such strict adherence to iconography in greek coinage?
many different states minting their own coins and these had to be recognised in order to be used; the way of doing this was consistency that generated recognition in the iconography of the coinage
In what ways are coins advantageous for studying iconography/use of imagery (esp in politics) in AG? Disadvantageous?
High survival rate of many versions of iconography as a result of mass production that was involved in minting; combo of images and writing means a greater likelihood of understanding the provenance of iconography as well as its signif.
The small size of coinage restricts the level of detail and canvas on which the image is done.
In what instances can political change be detected on G coinage?
-political events represented on Alexander’s coinage
-Acragas and Himera: the former took control of the latter c483 which is represented on Himera’s coins by the new coins from this point showing Himeran cock on obv and Akragian crab on the rev.
-Zancle and Samos: signif instance of events on coins; Zancle was taken control of by Samians 494 BCE - coins have been found with samian icon of lion scalp on obv.
