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The Coinage Crisis: How Marcus Aurelius Devalued Rome's Silver
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the economic pressures that forced the philosopher emperor Marcus Aurelius to debase the Roman silver coinage. Faced with the Antonine Plague, devastating wars on the Danube and in Parthia, and a shrinking tax base, Marcus reduced the silver content of the denarius from around 75% to just 68% — a move that staved off bankruptcy but set Rome on a path toward inflation. We discuss the role of the mint at Lugdunum and Rome, the symbolism of coin designs like Felicitas and Libertas, and how Stoic ideals of duty and restraint clashed with the harsh realities…
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