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Plan of the 2nd floor of Ilium Melathron
Rome emerged as a major power from the early 3rd century BC and by the 5th century AD its dominance and influence extended to most of the ancient world. Roman coins – denarii, aureii, sestertii, solidi, follei – made of gold, silver or copper alloys, were established through trade and administrative machinery.
The monetary system is characterized by reforms aimed at maintaining the stability of the system and adapting it to the needs of each era. In addition to Rome, which was the most important mint, coins were issued in most Roman provinces.
Their representations highlight the prestige of the official authority and all the elements that function as a cohesive fabric of the state. Important information about public and private life in the Roman world is provided by the weights and seal stones.
The picture is completed by the coins of the vassal states that were located in the periphery of Rome as well as the empires in the East, such as the Parthians and the Sassanids.
Sister of Marcus Aurelius, 161-180 AD. NM 67/1997 Aureus of Licinius I, 308-324 AD. NM 123/1997 Solidus of Constantine I, 307-337 AD. NM Zarifis Collection Denarius of Marcus Junius Brutus, 43-42 BC NM BP 1627