Roman Colonial Types in the First Centuries B.C.E./C.E.: A Reappraisal (20 min)

Presenters

Robyn Le Blanc, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Abstract

This paper problematizes the concept of typical colonial types in the first centuries B.C.E./C.E., and explores how, where, and in what manner a common set of numismatic motifs came into use among colonies in the Roman provinces. A particular set of types are often considered to be especially “colonial” because of their connection to Rome and their repeated use by many colonies. A nonexhaustive list of types which have been invoked in this manner include: the sulcus primigenius foundation rite, legionary vexilla, the Lupa Romana, Roma, the Forum Marsyas, the genius of the colony, and the Dioscuri. However, some of these types did not come into common use on colonial coinages until the second century C.E., others were popular only in particular regions, and nearly all were used by noncolonial cities as well. More importantly, the issue of how and why a common set of typically colonial motifs emerged is still understudied. By focusing on the earliest period of widespread colonial minting in the Roman provinces, I argue that the first set of colonial motifs was more restricted than has been previously appreciated and was centered primarily on imagery related to the foundation. In fact, aside from such imagery, I question whether we can truly speak of a group of “typical” colonial types until the end of the first century C.E., and explore what this tells us about the development of such types and their spread in later periods.

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