Hadrijan i Egipat. Numizmatička svjedočanstva

master's thesis

• Title (english): Hadrian and Egypt. Numismatic Testimonies
• Author: Orsat Vukas
• Mentor: Inga Vilogorac Brčić (mentor)
• Committee member: Boris Olujić (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Inga Vilogorac Brčić (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Filip Budić (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; (Department of History); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2023-09-13, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: HUMANISTIC SCIENCES; History; Ancient History

Abstract

Moj teza se temelji na analizi rimskog carskog novca kovanog tokom vladavine cara Hadrijana. Tokom rada sam predstavio Hadrijanovu perspektivu ekonomske moći Egipta na temelju numizmatičkih izvora. Srž svog rada sam temeljio na prikazima boga Nila na carskom i provincijskom novcu. Spomenuti motiv ujedno predstavlja i personifikaciju egipatske gospodarske moći. Tokom rada je analiziran i niz drugih egipatskih motiva koji se pojavljuju na rimskom novcu. Rad je također potkrijepljen ostalim literarnim i arheološkim izvorima koji čitavi diskurs spajaju u jednu cjelinu.

Abstract (english)

My thesis is predominantly based on the analysis of the Roman Imperial Coinage minted during the reign of emperor Hadrian. His fascination with Egyptian culture is undisputed in modern historiography but the lack of numismatic perspective on the subject inspired me to make my own contribution. I tried to portray Hadrian's personal view of the economic significance of Egypt for the Roman Empire. This has been achieved by analysing the personifications of the river god Nile found on reverses of imperial aureus and sestertius coins. For the sake of comparison, I also included a variety of coins minted in Alexandria that bear similar features on their reverses.
Furthermore, the thesis also includes additional analysis of other significant coins minted during Hadrian that bear symbols generally connected with Egypt. Unlike many other scientific papers, my concept of analysis encompasses an entire range of other important historical sources found in Greek and Roman literary works and numerous surviving papyri found throughout Egypt. Unavoidable references found in existing statues and frescoes in modern day Italy helped me to better understand the meaning of Nilotic scenes in Roman times. My work offers a review of Hadrian's reign and travels throughout Egypt followed by the analysis of his most important economic and architectural improvements in aforementioned region. The emperor’s personal cultural taste is also seen in the ruins of his villa in Tivoli that are clearly replicated on coinage that bears his name.
My concept of work is mostly based on chronology that offers clear testimonies of Egyptian influences that characterized the entire reign of one of the most popular Roman emperors. Having all that in mind I strongly believe that my master thesis offers somewhat of a unique approach of examining historical sources from the field of numismatics.

• Keywords: Rimsko Carstvo; Hadrijan; Rimski novac; Nil; Egipatska ekonomija
• Keywords (english): Roman Empire; Hadrian; Roman coins; Nile; Egyptian economy
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:131:570487
• Study programme: Title: History; specializations in: Research, Teaching; Course: Research; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra povijesti (magistar/magistra povijesti)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Embargoed access; Embargo expiration date: 2025-09-06
• Created on: 2023-09-22 10:29:45