Coins as Cultural Texts in the World of the New Testament

"Coins have long been a vital part of the discipline of classical studies of the ancient world. However, many scholars have commented that coins have not been adequately integrated into the study of the New Testament. This book provides an interdisciplinary gateway to the study of numismatics for those who are engaged in biblical studies. Wenkel argues that coins from the 1st century were cultural texts with communicative power. He establishes a simple yet comprehensive hermeneutic that defines coins as cultural texts and explains how they might be interpreted today. Once coins are understood to be cultural texts, Wenkel proceeds to explain how these texts can be approached from three angles. First, the world in front of the coin is defined as the audience who initially read and responded to coins as cultural texts. The entire Roman Empire used coins for payment. Second, the world of the coin refers to the coin itself - the combination of inscriptions and images. This combination of inscription and image was used ubiquitously as a tool of propaganda. Third, the world behind the coin refers to the world of power and production behind the coins. This third angle explores the concept of authorship of coins as cultural texts."--Bloomsbury Publishing Coins have long been a vital part of the discipline of classical studies of the ancient world. However, many scholars have commented that coins have not been adequately integrated into the study of the New Testament. This book provides an interdisciplinary gateway to the study of numismatics for those who are engaged in biblical studies. Wenkel argues that coins from the 1st century were cultural texts with communicative power. He establishes a simple yet comprehensive hermeneutic that defines coins as cultural texts and explains how they might be interpreted today. Once coins are understood to be cultural texts, Wenkel proceeds to explain how these texts can be approached from three angles. First, the world in front of the coin is defined as the audience who initially read and responded to coins as cultural texts. The entire Roman Empire used coins for payment. Second, the world of the coin refers to the coin itself - the combination of inscriptions and images. This combination of inscription and image was used ubiquitously as a tool of propaganda. Third, the world behind the coin refers to the world of power and production behind the coins. This third angle explores the concept of authorship of coins as cultural texts Cover Half-title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Abbreviations Introduction Benefits of Numismatics for New Testament Studies Scope of This Study A Word on Identification and Referencing What to Expect Chapter 1. Coins as Cultural Texts Coins as Texts Coins, Authors, and Audience Chapter 2. Coins as Speech-Acts The World in Front of the Coin The World of the Coin The World Behind the Coin Chapter 3. Coins As Currency Roman Currency System Jewish Currency System Chapter 4. Coins as Context Introduction Types of Coins in the New Testament Summary Section I: The World in Front of the Coin Chapter 5. Payment and Trust Introduction The Web of Trust Substance and Form Money Changers Weights and Scales Implications for Studying the New Testament Summary Chapter 6. Payment and Fear Introduction Coins, Robbers, and Fear Coins, War, and Fear Coins, Defilement, and Fear Coins, Death, and Fear Implications for Studying the New Testament Summary Chapter 7. Payment and Taxes Introduction Taxes and Cultic Purity Taxes and Apostasy Taxes and Submission Implications for Studying the New Testament Summary Section II: The World of The Coin: Propaganda Chapter 8. Propaganda and Inscriptions Introduction Coin Inscriptions and Symbolism Coin Inscriptions and Paleo-Hebrew Coin Inscriptions and Koine Greek Coin Inscriptions and Latin Implications for Studying the New Testament Summary Chapter 9. Propaganda and Dating Introduction Roman Coinage and Dates Jewish Coinage and Dates Implications for Studying the New Testament Summary Chapter 10. Propaganda and Roman Images Introduction Patronage and Military Victory Patronage and Roman Religion Implications for Studying the New Testament Summary Chapter 11. Propaganda and Jewish Images Introduction The Hellenistic Context Animal Imagery Messianic Ambition Military Power and Economic Prosperity Agriculture and Jewish Identity Implications for Studying the New Testament Summary Chapter 12. Propaganda and Metallurgy Introduction The Theory of the Language of Metals The Use of the Language of Metals Implications for Studying the New Testament Summary Section III: The World Behind the Coin: Power Chapter 13. Power and Identity Introduction Fiction and Reality Shaping Their Own Identity Shaping the Identity of Their Family Shaping the Identity of Previous Emperors Implications for Studying the New Testament Summary Chapter 14. Power and Presence Introduction Omnipresence of the Roman Gods The Omnipresence of the Roman Emperor Omnipresence Through Coinage Implications for Studying the New Testament Summary Chapter 15. Power and Production Introduction Autonomy and Production Raw Materials and Production Implications for Studying the New Testament Summary Section IV: Conclusion Chapter 16. Conclusion Appendix: Events Related to First-Century Numismatics Bibliography Index of References Index of Authors Section 1. The world in front of the coin -- Section 2. The world of the coin : propaganda -- Section 3. The world behind the coin : power -- Section 4. Conclusion