A History of Ancient Rome in Twelve Coins - by Gareth Harney

Book Synopsis

Hold the glory--and infamy--of ancient Rome in the palm of your hand with this "brilliant combination of history and storytelling" (Conn Iggulden, author of the Emperor series) as it explores history's greatest superpower, as told through humanity's most universal object: the coin.When Gareth Harney was first given a Roman coin as a child, he became entranced by its beauty, and its unique ability to connect us with the past. He soon learned that the Romans saw coins as far more than just currency--these were metal canvases on which they immortalized their sacred gods, mighty emperors, towering monuments, and brutal battles of conquest. Revealed in those intricate designs struck in gold, silver, and bronze was the epic story of the Roman Empire. Now, with his "novel and highly readable" (Philip Matyszak, author of The Blood-Red Sunset) voice and engaging research, Harney traces ancient Rome's rise, from a few huts on an Italian hilltop to an all-conquering empire spanning three continents, through the fascinating lives of twelve remarkable coins. A unique and enthralling "combination of history and expert storytelling" (Emma Southon, author of A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women) for all history buffs.

Review Quotes

Excellent...enjoyable 1,000 years of Rome told in an engaging new way. The Times (London)

About the Author

Gareth Harney is a Roman historian and coin collector driven by the goal of bringing the wonders of the ancient world to a modern audience. He has worked on excavations of Roman villas in the southwest of England and written about Roman sites in the publications of the Association for Roman Archaeology. As a collector of Roman coinage, he has built his own extensive collection over two decades and pioneered new ways to bring the joys of this esoteric field to a popular audience. He can be found on X at @OptimoPrincipi and through his website HarneyCoins.com.