It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
Moneta

Moneta

A History of Ancient Rome in Twelve Coins

Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The extraordinary story of ancient Rome, history's greatest superpower, as told through humankind's most universal
object: the coin.

When Gareth Harney was first handed a Roman coin by his father as a child, he became entranced by its beauty, its permanence, and its unique power to connect us with the distant past. He soon learned that the Romans saw coins as far more than just money – these were metal canvases on which they immortalised 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 history of the Roman world.

Moneta traces ancient Rome’s unstoppable 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. In these handcrafted pieces of ancient art we witness Caesar's bloody assassination, follow the legions to the edge of the known world, take a seat in the packed Colosseum, and ultimately, watch as barbarian armies mass at the gates.

Hold the glory, and the infamy, of ancient Rome in the palm of your hand.

©2024 Gareth Harney (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Reviews

  • Riveting ... An utterly original history of Rome that compels from start to finish. A wonderful read
    Mail on Sunday

About the author

Gareth Harney

Gareth Harney is a historian and coin collector striving to bring the wonders of the ancient world to a wider audience. For two decades he has explored the ruins of the Roman Empire, from the rugged landscapes of Hadrian’s Wall to the desert sands of the Sahara, all the while celebrating every aspect of ancient Rome with his large online following. Tweeting @OptimoPrincipi he combines rigorous historical research with thrilling storytelling to make classical history vital and relatable. Having built his own ancient coin collection since childhood, he now uses his website, blog, and high-definition coin photography to promote the joys of the hobby to a whole new generation.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more