Tag Archive for: Antiquity

The Paradox of Thucydides. What Antiquity Teaches Us About Covid-19

We should all read Thucydides says historian Marek Węcowski. Because the Greek historiographer described meticulously the social consequences of an epidemic in his own time. Thus we may anticipate the most urgent tasks to tackle after Covid-19.

Empire

On 7 October 2019, auction house Künker will be auctioning a necklace and bracelet made from ancient coins, said to have been commissioned by the great general Napoleon Bonaparte for his younger sister Pauline. That would make sense: In Napoleon’s time, people loved anything that was reminiscent of antiquity.

The Most Expensive Greek Coin

We cannot do CoinsWeekly Coin Records without acknowledging the most expensive Greek coin! The famous piece sold for more 2 million Swiss francs.

The Most Expensive Roman Coin

The next CoinsWeekly Coin Record to have been submitted is the presumably most expensive Roman coin. It sold for 2 million Swiss francs on December 3, 2008.

Human Faces Part 21: Where is God?

Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This section of the series ‘Human Faces’ tackles the question whether the commandment ‘Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image’ applies to coins as well.

Human Faces Part 20: An Ancient Power Woman

Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? This chapter looks at a woman of exceptional strength in her day.

Human Faces Part 16: The Fratricide of Caracalla

Already the Roman emperors suffered from psychosomatic illnesses. This chapter of the series ‘Human Faces’ looks at why Caracalla was given sleepless nights by the assassination of his brother and what he did about that.

Human Faces Part 6: The 30 Pieces of Silver

Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? In this part we will talk about the coins Judas received handing over Jesus.

Human Faces Part 14: Hadrian, Citizen of the World

Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? In this chapter of the series ‘Human Faces,’ you’ll hear about how the Greek beard made its way into Roman f

Human Faces Part 15: A Drug-Addicted Emperor

Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? In this chapter of the series ‘Human Faces,’ you’ll read about the purportedly ‘virtuous’ Marcus Aurelius.