Fiscal and monetary crisis under Marcus Aurelius

[Epictetus]

I'm looking for information on the Empire's money woes under Marcus Aurelius. I've read the H.A. and Cassius Dio, but does anyone know of any other primary sources that mention this?

Also, Anthony Birley's biography makes a tantalising mention about debasing coinage. He lays the blame on the costs of the northern wars.

...debasement from 161-6; an improvement from 166-70; then debasement from 170-80.

Does anyone have an idea where I can find some information about the purity of coinage during this time frame? I'm wondering about the extent of the debasement and any sort of inflationary after-effects that could have cropped up.

Thanks!

[D B Campbell]

Ken Harl's Coinage in the Roman economy (1996) is quite good.

[Epictetus]

Perfect! That book is gold!

( :roll: Sorry, couldn't resist. :wink: )

That is exactly what I was looking for when it comes to debasement. But if anyone can think of any other literary sources, please let me know.

[D B Campbell]

Perfect! That book is gold!

Glad to help. I think maybe the reign of Marcus Aurelius as a watershed owes a lot to Cassius Dio, and his comment (72.36.4) about Antoninus Pius' kingdom of gold becoming one of iron and rust.