MONTHLY LECTURE

From Gaza to Marib: the coins of the ancient incense road

Martin Huth, Berlin and Abuja

The lecture dealt with the largely unknown coinages of pre-Islamic Arabia along the ancient incense road from Gaza to the South Arabian kingdoms. The issues show an emulation of Attic models and attest to a differentiated monetary economy that refutes the traditional image of these societies. Hellenistic and Roman influences eventually led to dynastic issues with recurring symbols such as monograms and divine attributes.