Books and coins

Thought this would make for an fun and interesting thread. Share and describe a non-numismatic book about ancient or medieval history that you are reading or have already read (can be fiction or non-fiction) and post coins related to the book's subject matter.

I am currently reading The Gothic War: Justinian's Campaign to Reclaim Italy by Torsten Cumberland Jacobsen. It is a narrative about the Eastern Roman Empire's reconquest of Italy from the Ostrogoths in the 6th century AD, but also describes the Vandalic War that won North Africa for the emperor, and the rebellions that afterwards plagued that province. It also gives a background on the Goths and their prior history with the Roman Empire before the Gothic War. I especially like how the author did enough research to describe events, people and tactics in great detail; this book really fleshes out the war and the history associated with it. This book also talks a lot about the Roman general Belisarius (IMO one of the greatest generals the Romans ever had). I knew before reading that the Gothic War was a great struggle but now I really know why, and I haven't even finished (although I pretty much know how it all ends). The Gothic War also includes some maps and illustrations (one of the maps really helped me in knowing the locations of the towns and cities that battles and maneuvers took place in).



I am bad at book reviews so this is the best I can give while keeping it short. Now for the coins.

Justinian I, Carthage mint (year 14)



Justinian I, Rome mint



Hilderic, Vandals, Carthage mint



Justinian I, Ravenna mint (year 37)



Athalaric, Ostrogoths, Rome mint



Municipal coinage, Ostrogoths, Rome mint



Gelimer, Vandals, Carthage



Justinian, Rome mint



Baduila (Totila), Ostrogoths, Rome mint



Theodahad, Ostrogoths, Rome mint



Ravenna monogram, Ostrogoths, Rome mint

 

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Most of you know I am retired from the US Army. I really am military through and through. When I was a boy I was enamored with all things military, from the stories I heard from the men of the "Greatest Generation", to military parades and watching my brother in uniform (even though he was Air Force). Anyway, it's easy to see why I might like this series of books with insights into the men who made up some of the most famous legions of Rome. Many military historians consider Rome's legions the world's most efficient infantry before the arrival of gunpowder. Each book is well researched incorporating the history of Rome and the Roman army at the height of their power.

 

I guess it's not surprising that many of us share the same interests in coins as well as literature----Ancient History in all its varied formats and subject matter. I have reread several of the books Bing listed and constantly reread Caesars Commentaries as well as a few others I enjoyed including:

Justinian's Flea by William Rosen---An account of the plague and its effects on the reunification of the Roman Empire.

The Day of the Barbarians by Alessandro Barbero The battle that led to the fall of the Roman Empire and Valens defeat and death.

Cleopatra by Jack Lindsey (Self-Explanatory); and

Augustus by Anthony Everitt (Self-Explanatory).


Each reads more like a novel than a historical biography and holds your interest despite knowing the ending LOL

And who hasn't read Suetonius??? Or Procopius???

I'll post a few coins a bit later---something has come up...

 

Currently reading 'The Annals' by Tacitus, sadly no coins to show from the period he covers, but great book!

 

I recently read The Source (James Michener, 1965). It was fairly engaging and there were plenty of mentions of familiar emperors and kings. A few coins were even shown. The sweeping saga details the evolution of religion, emphasis on Jews, using an archaeological dig as the foundation for the story.

It might be fun to collect an example of each coin shown in the book plus representative coins of each kingdom/state discussed.

 

Ancient History is my true passion, with coin collecting tacked on the side of course! Any time I am not in the classrooms I am listening or reading up on Roman history. Here are a few books I am still trying to finish, minus Edward Gibbon's book.

 

Roll the bones, by David Schwartz. hey coins involved.

 

And what would a post be without a few coins!
Here are a few podcasts I also listen to on a regular basis.http://thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/the_history_of_rome/page/4/
http://thehistoryofbyzantium.com/


Back to bed for me!

 

Just have a moment, so here's my 'book' and 'coin' posts:


Justinian, Valens, Cleopatra and Augustus---The last two are of a low-grade, unfortunately;

 

This is an awesome book that I recommend.

http://www.amazon.com/Carthage-Must-Be-Destroyed-Civilization/dp/0143121294

 

I've had my students read both Arrius' Campaigns of Alexander and Suetonius' the Twelve Caesars when I was teaching college. Both excellent texts, but perhaps not the best choice for a Freshman class... My specialty is the Middle Ages, and I have read far too many books from and about the twelfth century.

(Apologies for poor images - I did this quickly to get them up. Will hopefully have a good set-up sometime soon)

Alexander the Great (? I inherited this coin and haven't taken the time to attribute it properly...)


My 'value' purchase of Caesar's Elephant coin... One day I'll save up for an upgrade.


Richard I of England - My studies focused mostly on the reign of Henry II, but I haven't yet purchased a Henry coin.

 

I had to add a post-script: I've noted and listed most of the books mentioned here for future reading and I feel I should emphasize how terrific the book I mentioned, titled "The Day Of The Barbarians" truly is...

For anyone fascinated by the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', this short 146 page book is a must read; It displays scholarship with an easy to read enjoyable flair that has the pages turning and the mind's eye flashing with the imagery.

Concisely said, the agruement is that the Hunnic expansion from the Asian steppes towards the Danube was the predominant cause of the collapse of the Western Empire---the unprecedented movement of humanity, predominately Gothic, towards the Roman frontiers and Valens decision making before and after that event---it is argued---directly led to the fall of the Roman Empire....without Gibbons long and tedious narrative.

I was intrigued by the premise and argument of the book and finished feeling persuaded that Barbero's reached the correct conclusion. So many 'what if's' are brought to mind----especially the choices that Valens made...

 

Welcome Fitz--I enjoyed your choices of posted coins---

The first is of 'the type' attributed to Alexander the Great, but many were continued far after his death from various regions of the 'Greek World'...and I won't pretend to know the proper attribution without intensive research and comparison..

Have you tried this link?:
http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=608602

 

I haven't tried that yet - I've suspected it was something based on Alexander, but what throws me off is the golden color. All the other Alexander coins like this one appear to be silver. I'm not sure if the gold color is Patina or something else, but the other coin I inherited with that one is the same color

 

I think There were some 'bronze' examples before and after Alexander--- they had a similar style since the portrait depicts Heracles, later with the 'features' of Alexander...and in the name of Alexander.......

Yours may be a bullion silver version with a golden patina--your photo suggests bronze....or a silver coin, possibly debased, with a patina....now you have me intrigued LOL

Perhaps, those who are more heavily into this series will shortly post their comments and opinions.

 

I had suspected they both may be bronze - they have the same coloring. Here's the other one I inherited:


This one should be Lysimachos

 

I have the three books by Tacitus and they are a good read. At the beginning, I thought Tacitus the historian and Tacitus the emperor were one and the same person.

 

This is mine favorite book.

 

They certainly appear to be so...and I have a small bronze of Alexander with the club, arrow reverse...so, I'll be interested in what the others have to say about all of this. The Op moderator, however, V-K (Valiant-Knight), may prefer we start a new thread on this matter...

 

During my university days (a few moons ago), I minored in Ancient History... My focus was Ancient Greece, Rome, Carthage, Macedonia (AH! Alexander the Great and Philip II - AWESOME!), and Egypt. Even got a little Islamic & Persian history thrown in there. So I have read several of the books above during school or during my life. However, I have expanded readings into Hittites, Babylonian, and Chinese History. As does Bing, I focus on MILITARY History of the ancients, but I also augment understanding of everyday life also. I usually read 3-5 books concurrently...takes me the same amount of time whether I read them one at a time or at the same time, so for variety and cross-reference I read books simultaneously.
I am presently reading:
- Carthage Must be Destroyed (Richard Miles - as recommended by Ancientnoob in another thread, thank you!)
- Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt (Toby Wilkinson)
- Empire of the Summer Moon (SC Gwynne) - not ancient, but awesome history of the Comanche Empire - one of the greatest cavalry in the world. Finished.
- Guns, Germs, and Steel (Jared M. Diamond)
- China: A History Vol 1 (Harold M Tanner) - have been there several times on business and have visited tombs of some of the emperors as well as Confucius home town, where he administered, etc.
As to coins...As I told Bing and Mikey Zee in another thread, I am in the midst of cataloging...bear with me.