Punic War Roman coinage: When Spanish silver replaces Greek source

[guy]

 

This is some research originally done in 2017, but I find it interesting. First, however, some background information is needed:

During the Second Punic War in 211 BC after a series of disastrous defeats in Italy, the Romans decided to take the offensive against Carthage in the Iberian Peninsula.

In 209 BC Publius Scipio captured Carthago Nova, the main base of Carthage on the Peninsula.

At the Battle of Ilipa in 206 BC, Rome permanently ended the threat of Carthage in the Iberian Peninsula.

 

Quote

After 209 B.C., the lead isotope signatures mostly correspond to those of deposits in southeast and southwest Spain or to mixtures of metal extracted from these districts.

"Before the war we find that the Roman coins are made of silver from the same sources as the coinage issued by Greek cities in Italy and Sicily 

In other words the lead isotope signatures of the coins correspond to those of silver ores and metallurgical products from the Aegean region," said Katrin Westner. "But the defeat of Carthage led to huge reparation payments to Rome, as well as Rome gaining high amounts of booty and ownership of the rich Spanish silver mines.

From 209 B.C. we see that the majority of Roman coins show geochemical signatures typical for Iberian silver." 

 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170814092835.htm

 

 Summary: The influx of Spanish silver would correlate with the Roman capture of Carthago Nova in 209 BC. The city had previously been one of the best harbors in the Western Mediterranean.

 

 

Quote

“During the Roman period, [Carthago Nova] was the site of major silver mines, yielding a daily revenue of 25,000 drachmae.

It was known also for the production of garum, a fermented fish sauce, and for esparto grass which granted it a new name, Cartago Spartaria.“ (Source: Wikipedia)

 

 

Great review videos on Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus:

 

 

 

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartagena,_Spain

Edited February 2 by guy