Overview

Coinage appeared at a moment when it fulfilled an essential need in Greek society and brought with it rationalization and social leveling in some respects, while simultaneously producing new illusions, paradoxes, and new elites. In a book that will encourage scholarly discussion for some time, David M. Schaps addresses a range of important coinage topics, among them money, exchange, and economic organization in the Near East and in Greece before the introduction of coinage; the invention of coinage and the reasons for its adoption; and the developing use of money to make more money. David M. Schaps is Professor of Classics at Bar-Ilan University in Israel.

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9780472113330

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Reviews

The book has a comprehensive index, a copious bibliography and...a sense of humour. It is well worth buying for a classical library. --Classics for All -- (07/28/2017) In this absorbing book David Schaps demonstrates that the Greeks were the first people in history to make widespread use of coinage, and so to have the concept of money, and that this relatively unappreciated fact is vital for understanding Greek society of the archaic and classical periods. This long overdue case is made by David Schaps with enormous intelligence and charm. --Richard Seaford, University of Exeter--Richard Seaford, University of Exeter Schaps provides intriguing food for thought for both ancient historians and modern economists. He argues that money existed before coinage, but that the invention of coinage reduced the costs of transactions enough to revolutionize life in ancient times, making monetization in ancient Greek society a crucial turning point in world history. --Peter Temin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology--Peter Temin, MIT This book is a magisterial and pioneering treatment of a subject of seminal importance. Schaps's erudition is impressive--but leavened by a pleasant style and tone. In my opinion, the volume will generate interest among a wide audience, and should stimulate (and expedite) further research among specialists. --Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania--Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania

The book has a comprehensive index, a copious bibliography and...a sense of humour. It is well worth buying for a classical library. --Classics for All --Christopher Tanfield Classics for All (7/28/2017 12:00:00 AM) In this absorbing book David Schaps demonstrates that the Greeks were the first people in history to make widespread use of coinage, and so to have the concept of money, and that this relatively unappreciated fact is vital for understanding Greek society of the archaic and classical periods. This long overdue case is made by David Schaps with enormous intelligence and charm. --Richard Seaford, University of Exeter--Richard Seaford, University of Exeter Schaps provides intriguing food for thought for both ancient historians and modern economists. He argues that money existed before coinage, but that the invention of coinage reduced the costs of transactions enough to revolutionize life in ancient times, making monetization in ancient Greek society a crucial turning point in world history. --Peter Temin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology--Peter Temin, MIT This book is a magisterial and pioneering treatment of a subject of seminal importance. Schaps's erudition is impressive--but leavened by a pleasant style and tone. In my opinion, the volume will generate interest among a wide audience, and should stimulate (and expedite) further research among specialists. --Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania--Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania

Winner of the 2010 Arie Kindler prize, awarded by the Israel Numismatic Society, Tel-Aviv Branch -- Israel Numismatic Society (INS) Arie Kindler Prize (10/22/2009 12:00:00 AM) The book has a comprehensive index, a copious bibliography and...a sense of humour. It is well worth buying for a classical library. --Classics for All --Christopher Tanfield Classics for All (7/28/2017 12:00:00 AM) In this absorbing book David Schaps demonstrates that the Greeks were the first people in history to make widespread use of coinage, and so to have the concept of money, and that this relatively unappreciated fact is vital for understanding Greek society of the archaic and classical periods. This long overdue case is made by David Schaps with enormous intelligence and charm. --Richard Seaford, University of Exeter--Richard Seaford, University of Exeter Schaps provides intriguing food for thought for both ancient historians and modern economists. He argues that money existed before coinage, but that the invention of coinage reduced the costs of transactions enough to revolutionize life in ancient times, making monetization in ancient Greek society a crucial turning point in world history. --Peter Temin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology--Peter Temin, MIT This book is a magisterial and pioneering treatment of a subject of seminal importance. Schaps's erudition is impressive--but leavened by a pleasant style and tone. In my opinion, the volume will generate interest among a wide audience, and should stimulate (and expedite) further research among specialists. --Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania--Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania

In this absorbing book David Schaps demonstrates that the Greeks were the first people in history to make widespread use of coinage, and so to have the concept of money, and that this relatively unappreciated fact is vital for understanding Greek society of the archaic and classical periods. This long overdue case is made by David Schaps with enormous intelligence and charm. --Richard Seaford, University of Exeter--Richard Seaford, University of Exeter Schaps provides intriguing food for thought for both ancient historians and modern economists. He argues that money existed before coinage, but that the invention of coinage reduced the costs of transactions enough to revolutionize life in ancient times, making monetization in ancient Greek society a crucial turning point in world history. --Peter Temin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology--Peter Temin, MIT This book is a magisterial and pioneering treatment of a subject of seminal importance. Schaps's erudition is impressive--but leavened by a pleasant style and tone. In my opinion, the volume will generate interest among a wide audience, and should stimulate (and expedite) further research among specialists. --Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania--Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania Winner of the 2010 Arie Kindler prize, awarded by the Israel Numismatic Society, Tel-Aviv Branch -- Israel Numismatic Society (INS) Arie Kindler Prize (10/22/2009 12:00:00 AM) The book has a comprehensive index, a copious bibliography and...a sense of humour. It is well worth buying for a classical library. --Classics for All --Christopher Tanfield Classics for All (7/28/2017 12:00:00 AM)

This book is a magisterial and pioneering treatment of a subject of seminal importance. Schaps's erudition is impressive--but leavened by a pleasant style and tone. In my opinion, the volume will generate interest among a wide audience, and should stimulate (and expedite) further research among specialists. --Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania--Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania Schaps provides intriguing food for thought for both ancient historians and modern economists. He argues that money existed before coinage, but that the invention of coinage reduced the costs of transactions enough to revolutionize life in ancient times, making monetization in ancient Greek society a crucial turning point in world history. --Peter Temin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology--Peter Temin, MIT In this absorbing book David Schaps demonstrates that the Greeks were the first people in history to make widespread use of coinage, and so to have the concept of money, and that this relatively unappreciated fact is vital for understanding Greek society of the archaic and classical periods. This long overdue case is made by David Schaps with enormous intelligence and charm. --Richard Seaford, University of Exeter--Richard Seaford, University of Exeter The book has a comprehensive index, a copious bibliography and...a sense of humour. It is well worth buying for a classical library. --Classics for All --Christopher Tanfield Classics for All (7/28/2017 12:00:00 AM)

Winner: Israel Numismatic Society (INS) 2010 Arie Kindler Prize -- ""INS Arie Kindler Prize"" (10/22/2009 12:00:00 AM) ""In this absorbing book David Schaps demonstrates that the Greeks were the first people in history to make widespread use of coinage, and so to have the concept of money, and that this relatively unappreciated fact is vital for understanding Greek society of the archaic and classical periods. This long overdue case is made by David Schaps with enormous intelligence and charm."" --Richard Seaford, University of Exeter--Richard Seaford, University of Exeter ""Schaps provides intriguing food for thought for both ancient historians and modern economists. He argues that money existed before coinage, but that the invention of coinage reduced the costs of transactions enough to revolutionize life in ancient times, making monetization in ancient Greek society a crucial turning point in world history."" --Peter Temin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology--Peter Temin, MIT ""This book is a magisterial and pioneering treatment of a subject of seminal importance. Schaps's erudition is impressive--but leavened by a pleasant style and tone. In my opinion, the volume will generate interest among a wide audience, and should stimulate (and expedite) further research among specialists."" --Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania--Edward Cohen, University of Pennsylvania ""The book has a comprehensive index, a copious bibliography and...a sense of humour. It is well worth buying for a classical library."" --Classics for All --Christopher Tanfield ""Classics for All"" (7/28/2017 12:00:00 AM)

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David M. Schaps is Professor of Classics at Bar-Ilan University in Israel.

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