Ancient Numismatics Ma
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding in the history and archaeology of ancient coinages, with a focus on the Greek and Roman worlds.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: Students will acquire a methodological background useful for approaching contextual numismatic studies; they will be aware of theoretical and practical information that will allow them to offer a correct technical analysis and critical evaluation of ancient coins and ancient coinages. Secondly, they will also learn the Italian and European laws about the management of coins as an archaeological item.
Skills: Students will learn managing ancient coins, using them as an instrument to reconstruct ancient economies and past societies. They will also learn how to investigate coins in archaeological contexts e their association with other materials. They will also gain experience in cataloguing coins according to ministerial forms.
Skills: Students will learn managing ancient coins, using them as an instrument to reconstruct ancient economies and past societies. They will also learn how to investigate coins in archaeological contexts e their association with other materials. They will also gain experience in cataloguing coins according to ministerial forms.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course will cover the following topics:
Part A (20 hours): Coins and Archaeological Contexts
Part B (20 hours): Troy and the Myth of Troy
Alongside an introduction to the principles and concepts of the discipline, the first part of the course (20 hours) will focus on archaeological numismatics, with particular attention to the discovery, documentation, recording, and cataloguing of coins from archaeological contexts. The analysis of coins within their contexts will also make it possible to investigate the ways in which, the periods during which, and the practices through which coinage was used in the ancient world.
The second part of the course (20 hours) forms part of a well-established interdisciplinary teaching project and will involve integrated teaching activities with the MA-level courses in Latin Literature, taught by Professor Chiara Torre, and Classical Mythology, taught by Professor Silvia Romani. In the 2026/2027 academic year, the course will focus on the Trojan myths and on the ways in which they were remembered, narrated, and represented in the ancient world. Drawing on a range of approaches and perspectives, the course will bring historical, numismatic, and archaeological sources into dialogue with literary texts and iconographic evidence.
Students must complete both parts of the course in order to obtain 6 CFU. It is not possible to obtain only 3 CFU by attending a single part of the course.
Although attendance is not compulsory, it is strongly recommended.
Part A (20 hours): Coins and Archaeological Contexts
Part B (20 hours): Troy and the Myth of Troy
Alongside an introduction to the principles and concepts of the discipline, the first part of the course (20 hours) will focus on archaeological numismatics, with particular attention to the discovery, documentation, recording, and cataloguing of coins from archaeological contexts. The analysis of coins within their contexts will also make it possible to investigate the ways in which, the periods during which, and the practices through which coinage was used in the ancient world.
The second part of the course (20 hours) forms part of a well-established interdisciplinary teaching project and will involve integrated teaching activities with the MA-level courses in Latin Literature, taught by Professor Chiara Torre, and Classical Mythology, taught by Professor Silvia Romani. In the 2026/2027 academic year, the course will focus on the Trojan myths and on the ways in which they were remembered, narrated, and represented in the ancient world. Drawing on a range of approaches and perspectives, the course will bring historical, numismatic, and archaeological sources into dialogue with literary texts and iconographic evidence.
Students must complete both parts of the course in order to obtain 6 CFU. It is not possible to obtain only 3 CFU by attending a single part of the course.
Although attendance is not compulsory, it is strongly recommended.
Prerequisites for admission
Detailed knowledge of Greek and Roman History and Greek and Roman Archaeology.
Teaching methods
During the first 20 hours, the Ancient Numismatics course for the Master's degree programme will be taught according to the conventional lecture-based format (alfa).
During the second part of the course (20 hours), the MA-level Ancient Numismatics course will be taught jointly with the MA-level courses in Latin Literature, taught by Professor Chiara Torre, and Classical Mythology, taught by Professor Silvia Romani. The aim is to enrich the educational programme through an innovative form of integrated teaching: the imagery and typology of ancient coinage will be examined through the thematic study of ancient sources and of the myths underlying their visual representations.
Lectures, guest lectures, and joint classes will provide students with methodological and archaeological training in contextual numismatics, together with the theoretical and practical knowledge required for the accurate technical analysis and critical assessment of numismatic evidence.
During the second part of the course (20 hours), the MA-level Ancient Numismatics course will be taught jointly with the MA-level courses in Latin Literature, taught by Professor Chiara Torre, and Classical Mythology, taught by Professor Silvia Romani. The aim is to enrich the educational programme through an innovative form of integrated teaching: the imagery and typology of ancient coinage will be examined through the thematic study of ancient sources and of the myths underlying their visual representations.
Lectures, guest lectures, and joint classes will provide students with methodological and archaeological training in contextual numismatics, together with the theoretical and practical knowledge required for the accurate technical analysis and critical assessment of numismatic evidence.
Teaching Resources
A. Attending Students
Students should prepare, in addition to the lecture notes and the materials discussed during the course, texts 1, 2 and 3.
1) W.E. Metcalf (ed. by), The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011 [chapters 2-10].
2) A. Savio, Monete Romane, Jouvence, Roma 2002 [or other editions].
3) S. De Martino, Troia. L'eterna illusione, Il Mulino, Bologna 2006
B. Non-attending Students
Non-attending students will have to prepare texts 4, 5, 6 and 7.
4) W.E. Metcalf (ed. by), The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011 [chapters 2-10].
5) A. Savio, Monete Romane, Jouvence, Roma 2002 [or other editions].
6) F. Barello, Archeologia della moneta. Produzione e utilizzo nell'antichità, Carocci, Roma 2006 [or other editions].
7) N. Parise, La nascita della moneta. Segni premonetari e forme arcaiche dello scambio, Donzelli, Roma 2000.
Students should prepare, in addition to the lecture notes and the materials discussed during the course, texts 1, 2 and 3.
1) W.E. Metcalf (ed. by), The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011 [chapters 2-10].
2) A. Savio, Monete Romane, Jouvence, Roma 2002 [or other editions].
3) S. De Martino, Troia. L'eterna illusione, Il Mulino, Bologna 2006
B. Non-attending Students
Non-attending students will have to prepare texts 4, 5, 6 and 7.
4) W.E. Metcalf (ed. by), The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2011 [chapters 2-10].
5) A. Savio, Monete Romane, Jouvence, Roma 2002 [or other editions].
6) F. Barello, Archeologia della moneta. Produzione e utilizzo nell'antichità, Carocci, Roma 2006 [or other editions].
7) N. Parise, La nascita della moneta. Segni premonetari e forme arcaiche dello scambio, Donzelli, Roma 2000.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students will take an oral examination covering the topics discussed during the course and the texts listed in the syllabus. During the examination, they will be expected to demonstrate sound knowledge and a mature understanding of coins as historical evidence, as well as the ability to interpret them within their relevant historical, economic, and archaeological contexts. The assessment will also take into account students' ability to organise and relate the knowledge they have acquired, the clarity and accuracy of their presentation, their capacity to analyse evidence from the ancient world critically, and their command of the specialist terminology of the discipline.
The final grade is awarded out of 30, with 18/30 required to pass.
IMPORTANT
International and incoming Erasmus students are advised to contact the teacher promptly. Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disabilities must be agreed with the teacher in consultation with the appropriate University office.
The final grade is awarded out of 30, with 18/30 required to pass.
IMPORTANT
International and incoming Erasmus students are advised to contact the teacher promptly. Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disabilities must be agreed with the teacher in consultation with the appropriate University office.
Professor(s)