Attianese, The coinage of the Brettii, With comparisons and descriptions of contemporary issues of the Lucanians, Preface by Vec

Pasquale Attianese, The Coinage of the Brettii, With Comparisons and Descriptions of Contemporary Lucanian Issues, Preface by Italo Vecchi, Publigrafic Publishing House, Cotronei 2015, pp. 147, richly illustrated in color, 31 x 22 cm, full cloth binding with titles on the spine, front cover, and dust jacket.

The text's primary purpose is to debunk the claims of ancient Greek and Latin historians, who frowned upon a warlike people who remained faithful to their traditions. Furthermore, it must be said that the Calabrian ethnic group was undoubtedly one of the most tenacious opponents of Roman supremacy. The Bruttii's alliance with various foreign leaders (Agathocles, Pyrrhus, and especially Hannibal) was completely unpalatable to the inhabitants of Rome, even though, at the end of the Second Punic War, they had granted a broad amnesty to all rebellious Italians. Thus, a truly implacable hatred was born against these people, who were ultimately wiped from the face of the earth. Therefore, through the extensive archaeological evidence examined, but primarily through a review of all coin issues (in gold, electrum, silver, and bronze), an attempt has been made to highlight not only the great abundance of coins produced by the numerous mints, but also their artistic quality, which evidently competed with those minted by the coastal Hellenic poleis. Bruttian coinage is characterized by a vigorously plastic style, influenced by the aesthetic canons of the Hellenistic period. The metal alloy used is also meticulously crafted. Almost certainly, the Bruttians, having accumulated immense wealth through the sale of pitch (the finest of all, according to historical sources) and the timber from their forests, commissioned Greek engravers to counter the policy of the apoikiai of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts. The very fact that their issues were so varied and abundant speaks volumes about their economy, which must have so hindered that of much more powerful cities. Certainly the Brettii confederation had extended its dominion over the whole of Calabria and this could in no way be tolerated by Rome.

Publication embellished by a long autograph dedication by the author on the first page.

In excellent condition.