Everyday transactions in transit

Contextualizing coins in the ports of Berenike and Myos Hormos

Bibliographic Data

ID12372355
AuthorsEmilia Smagur (0000-0003-0537-723X, University of Warsaw, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume38
Issue2
Pages1-35
Publication date2026-01-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Roman Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-7594 • E-ISSN: 2331-5709
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1047759425100561
OpenAlexW7126206873
LanguageEN
References cited22

This paper investigates the everyday use of coins at the Roman Red Sea ports of Berenike and Myos Hormos, challenging their conventional interpretation as mere indicators of trade prosperity. Adopting a contextualized approach, the paper analyzes coin finds alongside non-numismatic evidence – including ceramics, botanical and zoological remains, and epigraphic records – to uncover their role in daily economic activities. The study demonstrates how coins functioned across diverse settings such as marketplaces, industrial zones, religious sites, and residential areas, highlighting their integration into the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the ports. Beyond serving as a medium of exchange, coins played crucial roles in taxation, service payments, and religious offerings. By reconstructing the transactional dynamics of the ancient ports, the paper provides new insights into the interactions between residents and visitors, enriching our understanding of daily life in these vibrant hubs through a holistic archaeological perspective

Everyday life · Interpretation (philosophy · Narrative · Service (business · Transactional leadership · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Classical Antiquity Studies