Download Economy in Apsyrtides archipelago through Late Antique

Zrinka Ettinger Starčić, Lošinjski Muzej,V. Gortana 35, HR-51550 Mali Lošinj, Croatia, www.muzej.losinj.hr
[email protected]
Economy in Apsyrtides archipelago through Late Antique numismatic finds
North Adriatic as a whole and particularly the islands of Cres and Lošinj are places of many mythographic events which are seen as the main strategic points
of maritime trade routes. Amber trade links them with the name Electrides or Amber Islands, while the name Apsyrtides refers to the voyage of the Argonauts and
the tragic destiny of Apsyrt, the son of the king Aietes of Kolchis. The earliest forms of the name are preserved in the Hellenic and Latin writers (Pseudo-Scylax, Pseudo-Skimno, Apollonius of Rhodes, Strabo,
Pliny). From ancient times, the islands of Cres and Lošinj with the adjacent islands and reefs present an
unavoidable element in the navigation route through the northern Adriatic, creating communication from
Northern and Central Europe to the Mediterranean. The metropolis of the archipelago is Osor (Apsorus),
which oversees the trade routes through the Straits of Osor.
Interpretation of the numismatic findings is important for research in political and economic history. Transportation and trade are essential elements in any economy and their flow can be traced through the circulation of money. During the Late Antique period there were no historical events recorded on the archipelago
that would point to significant changes in the way of life. Owing to its position outside the impact of military
conflict on the borders of the Empire, the end of antiquity passed almost undetected but the consequences
of the crisis in the Empire were definitely visible. It was most evident in the declining intensity of economic
power and the disappearance of large markets, thus narrowing the possibilities of trade and production.
Due to economic stagnation, the production was reduced to meet the market needs in the area of the
northern Adriatic with simple and relatively safe access by sea. The residents of the Apsyrtides, as well as
those of the coastal regions of western and southern Istria, had an elusive sense of prosperity because of
the continuous communication with other cities and countries of the Mediterranean and the exchange of
goods (Aquileia, Nicomedia, Thessalonica, Alexandria).
Geographic position of Apsorus
Late Antique numismatic material from the Apsyrtides islands of Cres and Lošinj is not as abundant as one would expect. The reason for this is the lack of systematic archaeological research. There are only small bronze denominations presented. The Archaeological Collection of Osor within the Lošinj Museum contains
only a few examples of Late Antique coins, while the Cres Museum keeps 83 coins which are the basis of this work.
Late antique coins from the collection of the Cres Museum cover the period from the beginning
of the reign of Emperor Diocletian (284 to 305) to Arcadius (383 to 408). In turbulent times at the
end of the 3rd and the 4th century, the influx of money in all parts of the Empire was uneven. Periodic changes in the amount of money in circulation are most commonly the result of the monetary
policy of some Roman rulers or government financial policy. After the reorganization of the Roman Empire, Emperor Diocletian carried out a sweeping monetary reform in 294 and introduces
a silver coin, known as the Argenteus, together with the Nummus, a coin struck in bronze. In the
beginning, by its dimensions and weight, Nummus was similar to the Aes coinage from the first
centuries of the Empire.
Constantinvs I, nummus, 20 mm, 2,8 g., Soli invicto comiti type
At the beginning of the 4th century, state crisis was too deep to existing Diocletian’s reform,
so Constantine I the Great carried out the monetary reforms in 307 and 312, but they were unsuccessful as well. Money inexorably lost its value, size and weight.
This is evidenced by a coin of Constantine the Great minted in Ticinium, depicting Sol with the reverse legend Soli invicto comiti and an example of the nummus
of Licinius minted in the city of Arelate in Gaul, featuring the same legend. Another example of
coins produced in eastern mints is nummus of Licinius with the legend Iovi Conservatori, minted
in Cyzicus, as also coins of Crispus with the legend Providentiae Caess, minted in Nicomedia.
The amount of coins from the period of Constantine the Great is considerably larger and they
belong to the western mints.
The coins of Constantine II, Constans and Constantius II are represented with their reverse
side depicting two soldiers between one or two standards with the legend Gloria exercitvs. This
legend and a display on the reverse symbolize the bravery and courage of soldiers in conquering
Crispvs, AE3, 18 mm, 2.4 g., Providentiae Caess type
the Barbarians.
Emperors Constantius II and Constans tried to stop the fall in the value of money by introducing
new reform in the year 348. After this reform the coins were minted showing the characteristic legend Fel(icivm ) Temp(orvm) Reparatio and a fallen horseman; until the year 360 this type of money
was the most popular in a decade. This legend and display symbolize the return of happy times.
The new, heavier coin AE 2 was introduced, around 23 mm in size and 4.5 to 5.4 g weight. Already
in 354, this coin was replaced by lighter one, measuring about 18 mm and weighing about 2.7 g.
Emperors Magnentius, Julian II and Gratian also tried to reform the monetary system by introducing a large bronze coin (AE 1 double centenionalis, measuring about 30 mm and weighing about
Constantinvs II, AE 3, 17 mm, 1.3 g., Gloria exercitvs type
5.5 g ); however, the continuation
of the crisis and high inflation were unavoidable. Coins from the second half of the 4th century ,
belonging to rulers Valentinian I, Valens, Gratian, Valentinian II, Theodosius and Arcadius, their
mode of display and the legend on the reverse suggest rulers’ efforts to resolve the crisis and restore the Roman state, but they were still made of metal of very poor quality. Promotional series with
legends are Spes Repvblicae (Hope of the Republic ), Gloria romanorvm (Glory of the Romans),
Reparatio Reipvb(licae) (Restoration of the
Republic) or Salvs Reipvblicae (Salvation of
the Republic). From the above it can be conConstantivs Gallvs, AE3, 17 mm, 2.2 g., Fel temp reparatio type
cluded that all attempts made by the Roman
monetary policy during the 4th century were unsuccessful and numerous Late Antique coins, reflecting the
then high inflation, only confirm this fact.
After Diocletian’s monetary reform there were 20 imperial mints. The only imperial mint on the Croatian historical territory was Siscia. Material examination confirmed the common opinion that in some areas the most
important role in the daily circulation of money had those mints operating in close vicinity. The prevailing coins
were produced in western mints: Siscia and Aquileia, then Roma, Arelate and Ticinium, while the eastern
mints were: Cyzicus, Thessalonica and Nicomedia, represented by few examples. Precisely these examples, six coins, testify that trade links still exist, although with somewhat less intensity. Coins minted in Siscia
can be taken as an indicator of terrestrial links. By comparison with the numismatic finds in the western and
southern coast of Istria (Veštar near Rovinj, the Bay of Verige on Brijuni and the Vižula peninsula near Medulin), it is possible to determine that locations in geographically circled area show similar share of coins from
Map of the Roman mints after Diocletian’s monetary reform (294 AD)
certain mints as well as money circulation.
Economia e Territorio nell’Adriatico centrale tra tarda Antichità e alto Medioevo (IV-VIII secolo), Ravenna, 28 Febbraio - 1 marzo 2014