Coins, Cult and Cultural Identity

Book excerpt: In 1875 an extraordinary hoard of over 4,500 Augustan coins was discovered in a hot spring in Bourbonne-les-Bains, France. Mystified at why this discovery has been ignored for 130 years, even though it is the largest known single deposit of Augustan coins, Eberhard Sauer sets out here to re-discover' the clearly votive deposit, placing it in its archaeological, cultural and religious context. Sauer examines the archaeogical remains at the site, a sophisticate Roman spa, and assesses who would have had access to so many coins c.AD 9. The interesting thesis argues that in this area where army recruitment was a thriving business, only the military could have deposited such a hoard. Sauer then assessses the popular Roman habit of offering coins in sacred springs. Finally, the study pieces together the numismatic and archaeological evidence to discuss the history of he military spa of Bourbonne-les-Bains. Includes a substantial catalogue.