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Epigraphy and Numismatics

Code: 100382
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Archaeology OP 4
History OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Alessandro Ravotto
Email :
alessandro.ravotto@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Félix Retamero Serralvo

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

Basic notions of Latin morphology and grammar.

For the numismatics part, there is no need to have prior knowledge of numismatics.

Objectives

Latin epigraphy as a historical source and its relationship with archaeology. Utilization of the reciprocal usefulness between these two disciplines.

Ancient and medieval numismatics as a historical discipline applied to archaeology: basic principles of coin classification and sequencing, reading them as archaeological documents for the historical interpretation of a site.

Learning outcomes

  1. Autonomously searching, selecting and processing information both from structured sources (databases, bibliographies, specialized magazines) and from across the network.
  2. Solving practical exercises of grammatical knowledge.
  3. Applying techniques in order to quickly and completely understand texts in Latin.
  4. Organising and planning the search of historical information.
  5. Using computing resources of the area of study of history.
  6. Establishing investigation protocols for original research projects.
  7. Managing the main historical investigation techniques.
  8. Transcribing and interpreting epigraphic texts.
  9. Autonomously searching, selecting and processing information both from structured sources (databases, bibliographies, specialized magazines) and from across the network. Expertly making use of the possibilities of Internet.
  10. Establishing research protocols for original research projects.
  11. Reading and interpreting manuscripts, inscriptions and diplomas of the antiquity and Middle, Modern and Contemporary Ages.
  12. Reading historical texts written in several formats.
  13. Using epigraphic texts as historical sources.
  14. Transcribing and interpreting epigraphic texts.

Contents

1. Epigraphy. Concepts, applications, methodology. Epigraphy and archaeology.
2. Typology of inscriptions according to their purpose.
3. The epigraphic support and its context.
4. The epigraphic text. Lettering, formulas, abbreviations.
5. Religious inscriptions.
6. Funerary inscriptions.
7. Honorific inscriptions; monumental inscriptions.
8. Legal inscriptions.
9. Other types of inscriptions.
10. Christian inscriptions.
11. The evolution of epigraphy. Medieval inscriptions.
12. Epigraphic corpora and repertoires.



13. Coinage. Definition and basic principles.
14. Issues, mints, and manufacturing.
15. Documentation and classification of coins.
16. Greek coinage.
17. Issues of Emporion and Rhode.
18. Phoenician and Carthaginian coinage.
19. Roman Republican coinage.
20. Iberian coinage.
21. Roman provincial coinage in Hispania.
22. Roman imperial coinage.
23. Historical interpretation: coinage in archaeology.
24. Historical interpretation: monetary circulation.
25. Medieval coins: social contexts.
26. Early medieval coins: Suevi, Vandals, Byzantine, and Visigothic (5th-8th centuries).
27. Andalusian coinage (8th-15th centuries).
28. Coins of the Catalan counties and the Hispanic kingdoms (10th-15th centuries).

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Theory 75 3 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Practices 75 3 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14

Exposition of the necessary elements to be able to read and interpret an inscription.

Continuous practice of reading inscriptions in class.

Visit to a museum/archaeological site containing epigraphic material.

The numismatics classes will be conducted with the graphic support of an extensive coin repertoire.

Numismatic documentation practices will also be conducted in class.

Note: 15 minutes of one class, within the schedule established by the center/degree program, will be reserved for students to complete the surveys for evaluating the teaching performance and the course/module.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Active participation in class 10 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Practical exercise on methodologies covered in class (II) 40 0 0 3, 8, 12, 13, 14
Practical exercise on methodologies covered in class (I) 50 0 0 3, 8, 12, 13, 14

Continuous Assessment

Continuous assessment will consist of the following activities:

  • Practical exercise on the methodologies covered in class (I): 50%
  • Practical exercise on the methodologies covered in class (II): 40%
  • Active participation in class: 10%

The final grade for the subject will be the sum of the marks obtained in the Epigraphy and Numismatics components.


Epigraphy

Assessment will be based on the practical exercises completed throughout the course and on a final test, all focused on the reading, documentation and interpretation of inscriptions.


Numismatics

Assessment will consist of a practical test, announced in advance, covering the contents taught during the course.


Single Assessment

Single assessment will take place on a single assessment date but will consist of several assessment activities:

  • Epigraphy examination: 50%
  • Numismatics examination: 40%
  • Individual assignment replacing active class participation: 10%

The level of difficulty and academic requirements will be equivalent to those of continuous assessment.

The assessment corresponding to active class participation will be replaced by an individual assignment, which must be submitted on the same day as the written examination.


Review of Grades

Students are entitled to review the results of all assessment activities. The lecturer will establish the appropriate procedures for this purpose.

Individual circumstances requiring special consideration will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Reassessment

To be eligible for reassessment, students must have completed assessment activities corresponding to at least two-thirds of the total assessment for the subject.

Students must have obtained a minimum average mark of 3.5 in order to qualify for reassessment.

Reassessment will take place on the official dates established by the Faculty. It may not be used to improve the grade of a subject that has already been passed.

The final grades for reassessable activities will be published at least 72 hours before the date of the reassessment examination.


Academic irregularities

Should the student commit any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade of an assessment activity, that assessment activity shall be graded with 0, regardless of any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated. In the event that several irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same subject, the final grade for that subject shall be 0.

Assessment activities in which plagiarism, fraud, or use of artificial intelligence contrary to the criteria established in this teaching guide has been detected will not be recoverable.


Not Assessed

Students will receive a "Not Assessed" grade if they have not submitted more than 30% of the assessment activities.


Exchange students

Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.


Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

In certain practical activities carried out in the classroom, AI tools may be used for exclusively teaching purposes, with the aim of critically analysing their possibilities and limitations in the study of epigraphy and numismatics.


Bibliography

Epigraphic bibliography:

Andreu, Javier, Fundamentos de Epigrafía Latina, Madrid 2009.

Bruun, Christer; Edmondson, Jonathan (eds.) (2014), The Oxford Handbook of Roman Epigraphy, Oxford-New York.

Calabi, Ida, Epigrafia latina, Milano, 1991.

Corbier, Paul, Epigrafia latina, Universidad de Granada, 2004.

Di Stefano, Ivan, Mestiere di epigrafia, Roma, 1987.

Iglesias, José Manuel / Santos, Juan, Vademecum para la epigrafía y numismática latinas, Santander, 2002

Lassère, Jean Marie, Manuel d'épigraphie romane, Paris, 2005.

López Barja, Pedro, Epigrafía latina: las inscripciones romanas desde los orígenes al siglo III d.C., Santiago de Compostela, 1993.

Susini, Gian Carlo, Epigrafia romana, Roma, 1982.


Repertories of ancient numismatics:

Crawford, M. H., Roman Republican Coinage , Cambridge, 1974.

Amandry, M.,  Burnett, A. M.,  Mairat, J.,  Metcalf, W. E., Roman Provincial Coinage , Paris‐Londres, 1992

A.A. V.V., Roman Imperial Coinage, 9 vols., Londres, 1923‐2007.


Catalogs and reference works for medieval numismatics:

Balaguer, A. M. Història de la moneda dels comtats catalans , 1999

Crusafont, M., Acuñaciones de la Corona Catalano-Aragonesa y de los Reinos de Aragón y Navarra. Medioevo y tránsito a la Edad Moderna, Editorial Vico & Segarra, Madrid, 1992

Vico, J. et al., Corpus nummorum visigothorum , Madrid, 2006

Vives Escudero, A, Monedas de las dinastías arábigo-españolas , 1893 (ed. facsímil, Extramuros, 2008).

Software

It does not require specific software

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE