Follow the trail of silver, gold, and ideas across the ancient world. This course explores the birth of money, the rise of coinage, and the powerful role of trade networks in connecting ancient empires. From the first coins minted in Greece to the powerful imperial coinage of Rome, this session explores how commerce fueled cultural exchange, how coins became political propaganda, and how vast trade networks forged connections between distant peoples.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face / Online

COURSE OUTLINE

• Why coins and trade matter in Archaeology
• The Birth of Coinage: Early electrum coins of Lydia and the Greek city-states
• Expansion into Europe: Celtic, Greek, and Roman Coinage traditions
• Trade Networks & Goods: Amber routes, wine, olive oil, metals, ceramics, luxury Goods
• Coins as Political tools: Portraits, slogans, and imperial propaganda
• Archaeological Case Studies: Hoards, mints, and marketplaces
• Material Culture Beyond coins: Tokens, weights, seals, and merchant tools

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain the origins of Coinage and its spread across ancient Europe
2. Identify Different types of ancient coins and their iconography.
3. Recognise the role of coins as tools of Political propaganda
4. Understand How trade routes influenced cultural and economic development
5. Identify Material Goods that were central to ancient economies