Introduction

Summary

This chapter introduces readers to the study of ancient Antioch. It not only surveys the long-standing interest in the city but also critiques traditional characterizations of Antioch as a prominent, yet static, capital for the Seleucid and Roman empires. This is understandable considering the perceived limitations of both the textual and archaeological evidence. However, full examination of the coin evidence for Antioch helps challenge monolithic descriptions by revealing the different civic, provincial, and imperial authorities making use of the city. More specifically, this chapter introduces the approach of applied numismatics, digital mapping, and Exploratory Data Analysis to study the iconography, distribution, and likely circulation of the coins minted at Antioch. More than a coin study, however, the primary goal of this book is to encourage a better integration of material often left to specialists into a deep and comprehensive history of the people at and in relationship with the ancient city.