March 24, 2011 – Yannis Touratsoglou, well-known Greek numismatist, has published a study, which is dedicated to one of the most important kingdoms of Antiquity. It is titled A Contribution to the Economic History of the Kingdom of Ancient Macedonia (6th-3rd cent. BC).
Yannis P. Touratsoglou, A Contribution to the Economic History of the Kingdom of Ancient Macedonia (6th-3rd cent. BC), KERMA 2, Athens 2010, 236 pages (both in Greek and in English). – 32 Euro + postage
Our knowledge regarding the character and the specific features of the economy of the Macedonian kingdom from the second half of the 6th century BC to the early 3rd century BC comes limited in quantity, spread over several ancient literary sources, and furthermore is of variable importance. It is rather impressive that while there is a considerable number of economic studies for other areas of the ancient Greek world, such as that of Athens, or those of the Seleucid and the Ptolemaic kingdoms, the economy of Macedonia until recently remained in the shadow, quite neglected by research.
The new monograph by Yannis Touratsoglou attempts to fill in this gap, tracking down the economic data of the Macedonian kingdom alongside with the historical events and the geographical parameters. Applying his erudition on history and culture, acquired through his scientific involvement with this northern Greek territory for many years, Yannis Touratsoglou thoroughly reconstructs the financial management of the state by the Macedonian kings. With ample bibliographic documentation he sheds light on many of the particular socio-economic circumstances, both during the mutation of Macedonia from a peripheral entity into the regulator of the Hellenic affairs, as well as during the time when it emerged as an international power due to the bold campaign of Alexander the Great.
Contents
* Introduction
* Geomorphology – Natural Resources
* Historical and Political Review (Alexander I – Early Hellenistic Period)
* An Outline of the Economic History
* Numismatic Affairs (Alexander I – Cassander)
* The Archaeological Evidence
* The Gold of the Macedonians
* Closed Dated Groups of the Late Classical and Early Hellenistic Period with Coins (Ancient Macedonia, Philip II – Antigonos Gonatas)
This is the second monograph in the book series KERMA published by Lydia Lithos.
Dr. Yannis Touratsoglou is Director Emeritus of the Numismatic Museum, Athens. He is a prolific and versatile writer; among his works can be mentioned his PhD dissertation, Die Münzstätte von Thessaloniki in der römischen Kaiserzeit (32/31 v. Chr. bis 268 n. Chr.), Berlin – New York 1988 (award of the Academy of Athens).
On March 31, 2011 the new monograph will be presented to the public. If you want to attend this event, click here for the information. The meeting will be held at the National Hellenic Research Foundation and Ass. Prof. Demetrios Plantzos, University of Ioannina, will be the main speaker.
If you want to know more about Lydia Lithos, the Society for the Study of Numismatics and Economic History, click here.
If you want to order the book, click here.