Історія крізь символи: пропаганда римських цінностeй в монeтномукарбуванні римської провінції Азія в І ст. до н.e. – І ст. н. e.

Анотація

У статті проаналізовано зміни в оздобленні основних монет, що перебували в обігу на території західного узбережжя Малої Азії після утворення римської провінції Азія. Цікавим аспектом є те, що в обігу було залишено місцеві монети з усталеним оформленням, проте з часу важливих внутрішньополітичних конфліктів обидва боки монет використовувались для пропаганди політичних союзів, певних цінностей чи династичної політики Августа та його наступників. Особливу увагу звернено наоформлення срібних цистофорів як основного способу впливу на громадську думкув регіоні.

Coins played a special role in history. The study of numismatic sources can greatlycomplement the history of interethnic contacts and historical processes in regions andcountries. The main subject of the article is the analysis of coins that were minted andcirculated in the Roman province of Asia during the first century of its existence. Theproposed study draws attention to the formation of the visual language of authority, theprocesses of adaptation and assimilation of local traditions and established norms by therepresentatives of the ruling circles.

The inclusion of the territory of the former Pergamon Kingdom to the Roman staterequired the integration of the region into its system of economic and cultural life. However,the Roman presence superimposed on the developed economic model of the Greek city andthe formed domestic market. In addition, in the Roman Republic in the II BC – I AD therewas no purposeful monetary policy. That is why the old payment means – cistophorus wasleft in circulation. Their minting was not regular and was determined by the needs of thelocal market or the payment of troops.

Cistophorus is a great source for learning various relationships, such as certain events,objects, and connections with other cities or political unions. By leaving the traditionalelements of the cistophorus, the issuers brought individual features in the design. Forexample, Mark Anthony emphasized in the cistophorus his connection with the cult ofDionysus. In addition, his casting of cistophorus coincided with the conclusion of thepolitical union with Octavian or marriage with Octavia.

A new visual language of authority usually manifested itself through the placementof traditional Roman values on coins. In the course of the wars, the numerical coins withmilitary motives and optimistic sentiments that embodied Victoria’s image, triumphalarches, trophies, captives, etc. appeared. In addition, epithets related to the victory appearedoften on such inscriptions.

During the days of Augustus and his successors, the images of the ruler’s dynasticpolitics, agitation or propaganda of the existing state system and the promotion of foreignpolicy or the success of it were the important directions for the development of coin stories.Coin images also contain significant information on the distribution of the imperial cult andits practical implementation.

An interesting aspect of the analysis of coins in the province is that gold and silver coinsin their types were more conservative. The most suitable for propaganda of values and thepolitical trend of the princeps was bronze coinage. Exactly because of their size and specificweight in circulation, they were the ideal means for forming public opinion in the right way.

Thus, coins from the province of Asia are an important source for studying the politicalhistory of the region in the 2th – 1th BC –1th AD. The discussed materials allow us to tracethe process of forming the visual language of authority, especially the adaptation andassimilation of local traditions and established norms by the representatives of the rulingcircles. An effective policy in this area led to the formation of an idea of the appearanceof the ruler and his values, gave an idea of the dynasty policy of Octavian Augustusand his successors, introduced the features of the foreign policy of the Roman state tothe inhabitants of the province. Thus, the formation of a common economic and culturalspace was achieved, despite the considerable remoteness of the province from the centre ofpolitical life.