Money in Classical Antiquity [Paperback]

A comprehensive analysis of the impact of money on the economy, society and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds.This book was the first comprehensive analysis of the impact of money on the economy, society and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds. State-formation, expanding political networks, metal supply and above all an increasing sophistication of credit and contractual law are demonstrated as being the crucial factors in money's increasing influence.This book was the first comprehensive analysis of the impact of money on the economy, society and culture of the Greek and Roman worlds. State-formation, expanding political networks, metal supply and above all an increasing sophistication of credit and contractual law are demonstrated as being the crucial factors in money's increasing influence.This is the first book to offer a comprehensive analysis of the impact of money on the economy, society and culture of the Greek and Roman World, using new approaches in economic history to explore how money affected the economy and which factors need to be considered in order to improve our understanding of ancient money. Covering a wide range of monetary contexts within the Mediterranean over almost 1000 years (c. 600 BC  AD 300) its method is comparative and specific in order to demonstrate that money plays different roles under different social and political circumstances. In line with the aim of the Key Themes Series, the book not only offers guidance to students and course directors for studying money at University level, but also some perspectives for future research to graduate students and specialists.Introduction; 1. Monetization: issues; 2. Monetization: cases; 3. Monetary networks; 4. Cash and credit; 5. Prices and price formation: issues; 6. Prices and price formation: case study; 7. Sacred finance; Epilogue: monetary culture; Appendices; Glossary. Sitta von Reden offers an admirable introduction to some of the main themes in current debates on the use of mold