Phrourion and coins in central Sicily (6th-3rd Century BCE)

Abstract

Since its appearance, the minted coin has been an indicator of Greek presence in the Ancient Mediterranean. Despite being a revolutionary notion in the economy of the ancient world, the adoption of the monetary system was not always unanimous, especially among indigenous peoples outside the Hellenic context. This dissension happened because coins, besides the intrinsic value in the metal of which they are made, carry symbolic values intimately linked to the society that produced them. The presence or absence of coins in certain archaeological contexts informs us of their reception among native communities. These objects, accepted by external consumers in adopting them to their everyday life or rituals, were thus also accepted in that they were given new meanings. The case of Sikan phrouria in central Sicily is quite interesting. The circulation of Greek coins was scarce in this territory. Its intensity, however, varied over time, and space. These differences allow us to observe the social changes that occurred in Sikan communities between the 6th and 3rd centuries BCE, as well as to understand coins as active agents in cultural transformation. The contextual material analysis carried out in this paper focuses on the different perceptions of Economy among Greeks and Sikans. The latter showed, in turn, a certain resistance to coins, favouring more traditional forms of exchange.