Usi monetari a Gortina e Festòs: cronologie e aspetti produttivi

Abstract

The research focuses on the analysis of the coinage of the Cretan cities of Gortyna and Phaistos, with the aim of providing new information about uses, chronologies and productive aspects of the coins minted by both workshops. In order to analyze the context of these productions and to lead a parallel investigation on several levels, at beginning have been focused all the characteristics of the cities in historical age, summarizing the performance of archaeological research and analyzing the most significant data of the epigraphic and literary documentation. These sources form a wealth of information useful for the understanding of the economic dynamics that involved the poleis of Gortyna and Phaistos, providing information on the state of relations between these. This part is followed by an analysis of the framework of knowledge on the Cretan numismatics, deepening the context in which the cities have started minting coins and the characteristics of the first issues. There are also detailed the hitherto known of chronological elements and the reconstruction of the weight standards locally in use. Based on these data, and in comparison with the collected material, it is possible to perform the analysis of the production. So the coins are organized as groups, emissions and series: the material is divided according to the mints and placed in chronological order. The setting of chronological periods is linked to the recognition of the phenomena that are characteristic of the Cretan coinage: the overstrikes, the countermarking, the change of weight standards, the processing and the 3 numbering of dies. The information has been used for the definition of a relative dating, and to detect trends in production. Once defined the chronological contexts, has been highlighted the correspondence to different weight standards and their alteration in the Hellenistic period. For this phase were examined in detail even the bronze issues, allowing the identification of two different systems of use, comprised of more nominals. The specimens used in the analysis are gathered in the ‘Catalogue’. Depending on the issuing city, groups are organized in chronological periods identified on the basis of the relations from the overall analysis of the sample. It begins, therefore, by the first autonomous series reaching, in the case of Gortyna until the Roman occupation, and for Phaistos to the destruction of the city. In order to complete this analysis are also analyzed groups of coins once mistakenly attributed to Gortyna and modern counterfeiting. The Catalogue ends with an appendix to investigate a coin issue probably minted in Crete but with types usually used for Rhodian coins, but also the production of tetradrachms after the passage of the island under the direct control of Rome. The 2928 specimens examined are the basic tool used for the reconstruction of the production of coins and their analysis allows us to understand technical tricks used by mints. Particular attention was given to the description of the special features found in individual pieces, including overstriking, countermarks and features linked to working of dies and flans. In the conclusion of the research work, is proposed an overview of the described phenomena analyzing the details on coin production within a context of knowledge now more apparent. In this way some aspects hitherto regarded as dominant in the coin production can be calibrated better both in chronology and function. In addition, the recognition of the specificities of hoarding, allows to contextualize some groups of coins providing new information for a better interpretation. The simultaneous use of similar technical solutions allows us to reconstruct the synchronization stages of the two mints and to distinguish the moments of greater economic autonomy of the city of Phaistos, suggesting a reinterpretation of the political and administrative relations between the two centers. Thanks to the statistical data, it was finally proposed an interpretative model to better define the overstriking phenomenon. [edited by Author]