REPRESENTATIONS OF ROMAN WOMEN ON THE TOKENS OF ROME AND OSTIA

Abstract

This article explores the representations of imperial and non-imperial women on tokens created in Rome and Ostia, exploring what these objects reveal about imperial ideology, local culture and female euergetism. After a brief introduction to tokens as a source, the analysis begins with a discussion of the representations of imperial female family members on both bronze and lead. The representation of imperial women on tokens, which is largely a phenomenon of the first century AD, forms an important precursor, alongside provincial coinage, to the eventual appearance of women on Roman imperial coinage. Similarities and differences between coin and token representations are explored, as is the question of agency; several of these tokens were issued on behalf of the emperor or a male magistrate. The article then moves on to examine the tokens issued by other women in Rome; an appendix lists the known names of these individuals. The evidence suggests tokens were issued in connection with female-sponsored benefactions by different societal groups, although women might also be shown as participants of events on tokens issued by others. The imagery chosen for female-issued tokens is explored; there does not appear to be any gendering of imagery in this class of object. The article concludes by highlighting the relative frequency of women on Roman lead tokens when compared with provincial coinage or the tokens of other regions.