Lost_Warrior Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 I've read and heard about different Roman monetary units (denarii, as, recently sesterces) however I was never able to figure out how the system was set up, IE how many sesterces in a denari (or denari in a sesterce) etc. Also, did each province have it's own currency or were they all somehow standardized? Was currency from other nations also useable in Rome, or was there an exchange of some sort? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primus Pilus Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 I've read and heard about different Roman monetary units (denarii, as, recently sesterces) however I was never able to figure out how the system was set up, IE how many sesterces in a denari (or denari in a sesterce) etc. Also, did each province have it's own currency or were they all somehow standardized? Was currency from other nations also useable in Rome, or was there an exchange of some sort? Coin Denominations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost_Warrior Posted February 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Oh I did not know that was there. Thank you! I see no mention of the sesterces I guess they are a product of the authors imagination? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primus Pilus Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Oh I did not know that was there. Thank you! I see no mention of the sesterces I guess they are a product of the authors imagination? Yes its on there in the singular form of Sestersius between Dupondius and Quinarius. Though the As was technically the 'base unit' and the denarius probably preferably for large transactions, the sestersius was very much the common monetary unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.Clodius Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 I see no mention of the Solidus on there though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primus Pilus Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 I see no mention of the Solidus on there though. Its on the 'Late Imperial - Constantine to the Fall of the Empire' chart at the bottom of the page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.Clodius Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 (edited) Sorry, my bad. Thanks. Interesting story about the solidus, or possibly so. I served in the french foreign legion as I think I've mentioned before. Their means of pay was to 'Touche la solde', or touching the solde as we anglo's used to say. A sergeant once told me the french word for soldier (soldat) was derived from the coinage of the roman army. I emailed an authored professor of classics on the question last year sometime and he indicated it could possibly be so because of the Solidus, (the first time I'd heard of this coin). Edited February 21, 2006 by P.Clodius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost_Warrior Posted February 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Yes its on there in the singular form of Sestersius between Dupondius and Quinarius. Though the As was technically the 'base unit' and the denarius probably preferably for large transactions, the sestersius was very much the common monetary unit. Oh, oops...my (Latin is) bad...I'd better work on that Latin! Sorry, my bad. Thanks. Interesting story about the solidus, or possibly so. I served in the french foreign legion as I think I've mentioned before. Their means of pay was to 'Touche la solde', or touching the solde as we anglo's used to say. A sergeant once told me the french word for soldier (soldat) was derived from the coinage of the roman army. I emailed an authored professor of classics on the question last year sometime and he indicated it could possibly be so because of the Solidus, (the first time I'd heard of this coin). Soldat is also the German word for soldier. Can you explain the "'Touche la solde'" to me? Besides the translation, was it simply used as a figure of speech or did it imply some sort of ceremony? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.Clodius Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 There was a certain amount ceromony yes. You had to 'present' yourself in a formal manner infront of a desginated officer who gave you your pay. It went; At attention, salute, then say Rank and name Length of service Platoon commander's name "A Vos Ordres" (At your orders). Sometimes they'd make you do it in parade dress to bust balls, if your uniform wasn't up to scratch, you wouldn't get paid and they'd make you do it over again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost_Warrior Posted February 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Oh, I see. Thanks for the info to get this a bit back to topic (after I so convieniently got it off topic) was there any sort of ceremony for getting paid in the Roman army? Or was it simply "get your cash, then go do whatever the....you want with it" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P.Clodius Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Josephus talks of Titus holding formal ceremonies under the besieged wall of Jerusalem, a form of psycological warfare. During these ceremonies, the soldiers would receive pay, promotions, etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caldrail Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 (edited) I've read and heard about different Roman monetary units (denarii, as, recently sesterces) however I was never able to figure out how the system was set up, IE how many sesterces in a denari (or denari in a sesterce) etc. Also, did each province have it's own currency or were they all somehow standardized? Was currency from other nations also useable in Rome, or was there an exchange of some sort? A standard empire-wide monetary system did not occurr until the third century. Prior to this, coins were issued on an ad hoc basis when the supply of money was short. This eased tax collection besides allowing the wealthy to store cash. Money was a commodity in a world based on barter, and there is plenty of evidence of speculation and dealing on various coinage. The 'almost-standard' inherited from the republic was... 1 gold Aureus = 25 silver Denarii 1 silver Denarius = 16 copper Asses Sestercii arrived later when the denarii dropped in value due to inflation, a problem well known to romans. Eastern coinage like obols, drachmas etc were comparable in value and became standard after power and wealth migrated to Constantinople, though I don't think the process was immediate. One later emperor tried to reinstate neronian money, so the old roman habit of issuing coins willy-nilly remained. Older coins were issued to celebrate important people. There are coins showing the faces of great generals etc. These might become worthless overnight due to political change, or even dangerous to own. Edited February 25, 2006 by caldrail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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