Money Talks
May 30, 2020
Couched as a bedtime story, this talk highlights the relationship between the political mythology of Seleucus I as recorded in ancient texts (Appian, Justin, Malalas) and the development of early Seleucid coinage, especially those related to the anchor, Apollo, and horned horse. This is followed by a discussion of the use and reuse of related types and stories by subsequent members of the Seleucid dynasty and successor states as a means of illustrating legitimacy. Treatment is also given to a developing conversation/negotiation of power visible on the coins between both the city and the Seleucid king and the influence of indigenous non-Greek peoples on the later coinage.
This installment of our Money Talks series was originally broadcast on 6/6/2020
