Reconsidering the Interpretation and Dating of Ancient Coins: the case of Bronze Coins from Dodona in the Name of Menedemos Argeades
In the sanctuary of Dodona a series of bronze coins were minted in the name of ΜΕΝΕΔΗΜΟΣ ΑΡΓΕΑΔΗΣ ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (PRIEST MENEDEMOS ARGEADES). The iconography of this substantial coinage follows the traditional types struck by the Epirote mints, such as Dodonaios Zeus and his eagle, Artemis and her attribute...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
| Published: |
Akdeniz University
2016-05-01
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| Series: | Gephyra |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/gephyra/issue/22143/318439?publisher=nalan-eda-akyurek-sahin |
| Summary: | In the sanctuary of
Dodona a series of bronze coins were minted in the name of ΜΕΝΕΔΗΜΟΣ ΑΡΓΕΑΔΗΣ
ΙΕΡΕΥΣ (PRIEST MENEDEMOS ARGEADES). The iconography of this substantial coinage
follows the traditional types struck by the Epirote mints, such as Dodonaios
Zeus and his eagle, Artemis and her attributes (arrow and quiver). Franke, the
first scholar who studied them, from historical events proposed a date in the
period 168-148 B.C.In this paper a new
chronological date for these coins is proposed, from style, epigraphic and the
metrological observations, combined with the ancient sources. Specifically, the
style of these issues echoes the types of silver denarii minted during the late
republican period. The bust of Dodonaios Zeus bears a resemblance to the
relevant type of Roman denarii of Lucius Staius Murcus (42-41 B.C.) and the
hairstyle of Artemis to Dianaʼs as the latter is depicted on the silver coins
of Gaius Hosidius Geta (68 B.C.), and mainly of Caesar’s followers, Gaius
Antius Restio (47 B.C.) and Titus Carisius (46 B.C). In the Augustan era, this
hairstyle for Diana is abandoned.For research, a
puzzling issue concerns the denominational system of the heavy bronze coins,
which were applied to the Greek mints, as the type C of the series of Dodona.
Burnett observed the distribution of this practice during the Second Civil War,
which he attributed to the Roman officers of Marcus Junius Brutus, Marcus
Antonius and Gaius Octavius. Nevertheless, Kremydi-Sicilianou concluded, by
examining the monetary production of Dion, that Julius Caesar was the
mastermind behind the foundation of the Roman colony (Colonia Felix Diensis),
although it was established after his assassination. Another colony founded by
Julius Caesar, was Colonia Iulia Felix Sinope, where this new monetary system
was also applied.The omission of the
ethnikon on Dodona’s bronze coins is unique in Greek numismatics. Franke first
linked the name Argeades to the royal dynasty of Macedonia. The extent of the
inscription is reminiscent of those on the coins of the Macedonian kings from
the time of Alexander the Great and his successors. The mysterious identity of
Menedemos Argeades seems to unfold through lines in Caesar’s Civil War and
Ciceroʼs in correspondence. In a passage in the Civil Wars, Caesar made a
reference to Menedemos, princeps of Macedonia libera, as an ally of his. However,
Cicero provided crucial data related to Menedemos and Petraeosʼ activity in
political strife. According to his narration, both became intimate followers of
Caesar and both were granted the privilege of Roman citizenship. During
Caesar’s autocracy, the Thessalian league minted silver and bronze coins in the
name of (strategos) Petraeos, while Menedemos contributed financially to the
sanctuary of Dodona for the emission of these bronze issues. He proudly
presented himself as priest of Dodonaios Zeus and descent of the royal branch
of Argeades reflecting the morale of his era.His political
activity did not continue for long. A year after the brutal assassination of
Caesar, he was executed together with Petraeos by Marcus Junius Brutus. |
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| ISSN: | 1309-3924 2651-5059 |