Barbarian warriors, Barbarian elites and Roman coins

elective courses

Classroom

The Roman Period societies underwent processes that led to emergence of higher social groups and in formation of the elites. Elites held the power and had influence on the group of people that identified themselves with the given society. The process of forming elites started with warriors, who set themselves to many wars, i.e. with the Romans, gained access to precious goods and wealth that helped them to build a privileged position. During the classes, students, on the example of various war campaigns will learn how the small warrior groups emerged to social elites. During the summer semester, the focus will be placed on the processes of forming the elites and on the archaeological reflections of these processes. The biggest focus will be placed on the numismatic evidence and its role in this process – on functions of the Roman coins in the hands of Barbarians, their role in the process of forming Barbarians’ identity, ways of using the coins and re-constructing them into new items.

1. What can we learn from coins

2. First Germanic victory over Romans – the Teutoburg Forest

3. Early hoards with Roman coins in Barbaricum as a result of the wars waged by Trajan with Dacians

4. Tributes, ransoms and donativa – the influx of Roman coins into Barbaricum during and after Marcomanic wars

5. Spoils of victory – ritual offerings of war booty (case study Illerup, Torsberg, Nydam)

6. Seizure of the Roman treasure – the battle of Abritus and the gold coins in Barbaricum

7. Gothic invasions in Asia Minor and first imitations in gold

8. Friends or enemies – provincial coins in Barbaricum and the ways & reasons of their redistribution

9. Goths at the Black Sea and their contacts with the North

10. First centers of power in the Cherniakhiv culture based on Roman coins

11. Roman Medallions in Barbaricum – function and meaning

12. Goths and Huns invasions and their results in Barbaricum at the end of the 4th c.

will be provided by the lecturer during the classes

Effects of learning

Student has basic knowledge about how numismatics can be used to interpret various kinds of finds;

Knows the basic terminology and concepts used in archaeology and numismatics

Student has basic knowledge about the historical and social processes in the Antiquity;

Abilities

Has the basic ability to interpret various kinds of numismatic and archaeological finds

Has the ability to link historical facts with archaeological and numismatic sources

Has the ability to interpret the

Social competence

Student has the knowledge and skills to confront with the opinions of experts;

Can evaluate the uniqueness of numismatic sources and their potential in studying the past

Is able to evaluate critically the numismatic and archaeological sources in their context

details will be discussed during the first meeting;

Students will be asked to prepare some presentations on simple, supplementary topics;

Written or oral exam will be provided (details to be discussed with the attendances)