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Coins have long been a vital part of the discipline of classical studies of the ancient world. However, many scholars have commented that coins have not been adequately integrated into the study of the New Testament. This book provides an interdisciplinary gateway to the study of numismatics for those who are engaged in biblical studies. Wenkel argues that coins from the 1st century were cultural texts with communicative power. He establishes a simple yet comprehensive hermeneutic that defines coins as cultural texts and explains how they might be interpreted today. Once coins are understood to be cultural texts, Wenkel proceeds to explain how these texts can be approached from three angles. First, the world of the coin is defined as the audience who initially read and responded to coins as cultural texts. The entire Roman Empire used coins for payment. Second, the world of the coin refers to the coin itself - the combination of inscriptions and images. This combination of inscription and image was used ubiquitously as a tool of propaganda. Third, the world behind the coin refers to the world of power and production behind the coins. This third angle explores the concept of authorship of coins as cultural texts.>
List of contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Coins as Cultural Texts
Chapter 2: Coins as Speech-Acts
Chapter 3: Coins as Currency
Chapter 4: Coins as Context
Section I: The World in Front of the Coin: Payment
Chapter 5: Payment and Trust
Chapter 6: Payment and Fear
Chapter 7: Payment and Taxes
Section II: The World Of the Coin: Propaganda
Chapter 8: Propaganda and Language
Chapter 9: Propaganda and Dating
Chapter 10: Propaganda and Roman Images
Chapter 11: Propaganda and Jewish Images
Chapter 12: Propaganda and Metallurgy
Section III: The World Behind the Coin: Power
Chapter 13: Power and Identity
Chapter 14: Power and Presence
Chapter 15: Power and Production
Chapter 16: Conclusion
Index
Summary
Coins have long been a vital part of the discipline of classical studies of the ancient world. However, many scholars have commented that coins have not been adequately integrated into the study of the New Testament. This book provides an interdisciplinary gateway to the study of numismatics for those who are engaged in biblical studies.
Wenkel argues that coins from the 1st century were cultural texts with communicative power. He establishes a simple yet comprehensive hermeneutic that defines coins as cultural texts and explains how they might be interpreted today. Once coins are understood to be cultural texts, Wenkel proceeds to explain how these texts can be approached from three angles. First, the world in front of the coin is defined as the audience who initially read and responded to coins as cultural texts. The entire Roman Empire used coins for payment. Second, the world of the coin refers to the coin itself – the combination of inscriptions and images. This combination of inscription and image was used ubiquitously as a tool of propaganda. Third, the world behind the coin refers to the world of power and production behind the coins. This third angle explores the concept of authorship of coins as cultural texts.
