APPROACHING THE ANCIENT WORLDAncient History from Coins Coins are a rich source of information for the ancient historian; yet too often historians are uneasy about using them as evidence because of the special problems attached to their interpretation. Ancient History from Coins demystifies this specialized subject and introduces students to the techniques, methods, problems and advantages of using coins in the study of ancient history. Christopher Howgego shows through numerous examples how the character, patterns and behaviour of coinage bear on major historical themes. Covering the period from the invention of coinage (c. 600 BC) until the reign of Diocletian, this study examines topics ranging from state finance and economic history to imperial domination and political propaganda. Students and teachers of ancient history will find Ancient History from Coins an indispensable guide to using the evidence provided by coins in their studies. Christopher Howgego is the curator responsible for Roman coins at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, and a lecturer in Roman numismatics at the University of Oxford. He has taught and written extensively on ancient coinage.Approaching the Ancient World Series editor: Richard Stoneman The sources for the study of the Greek and Roman world are diffuse, diverse, and often complex, and special training is needed in order to use them to the best advantage in constructing a historical picture. The books in this series provide an introduction to the problems and methods involved in the study of ancient history. The topics covered will range from the use of literary sources for Greek history and for Roman history, through numismatics, epigraphy, and dirt archaeology, to the use of legal evidence and of art and artefacts in chronology. There will also be books on statistical and comparative method, and on feminist approaches. The Uses of Greek Mythology Ken Dowden Art, Artefacts, and Chronology in Classical Archaeology William R. Biers Reading Papyri, Writing Ancient History Roger S. Bagnall