Conference on Coins from the Era of I. Ruggero to be Held in Reggio Calabria

An important academic event in the fields of medieval history and numismatics (the study of coins) will be held in Reggio Calabria, İtalya. Organized jointly by Associazione Culturale Anassilaos and Pietro De Nava Kütüphanesi, the event will take place as part of a broader conference series titled 'The Perception of Time Between Ancient, Modern and Contemporaneity'. The event will start on Thursday, 9 Temmuz at 17:15 in the Giuffrè Salonu of the library. The academic meeting aims to shed light particularly on the medieval historical past of the Calabria and Sicily regions. The main topic of the conference will be the historical and cultural analyses of the coins minted in these two important Italian regions during the era of I. Ruggero (Ruggero I).

The speaker at the conference will be Dr. Rocco Aricò, who holds a PhD from Messina Üniversitesi. A young researcher, Aricò has been conducting his research in the field of Numismatics at the Antik ve Modern Medeniyetler Bölümü of Messina Üniversitesi since 2023. Aricò, who also teaches Medieval Numismatics at the Doğu Akdeniz Üniversite Konsorsiyumu in Noto, emphasizes his deep commitment to the region's history as an academic of Reggio origin. The scientist has authored a comprehensive article addressing this complex and technical subject in detail. This academic study involves a re-evaluation of Norman coins produced in Calabria and Sicily during the second half of the eleventh century.

Dr. Aricò's research breaks old paradigms by deeply examining the monetary reforms implemented during the Norman conquest of the region. Contrary to traditional interpretations, original hypotheses based on new and scientific data are presented regarding the production processes and historical background of the coins. As part of the study, previously unpublished new coin types are introduced to the literature, while already known materials are re-read in the light of modern science. The researcher's main goal is to clear away the cultural encrustations created by old and erroneous theories that have been unsupported by objective evidence over the years. Thus, a much clearer and more accurate picture of the economic and cultural structure of Norman-era Italy is attempted to be drawn.

At the event, where these significant academic findings will be shared with the public, the doyens of the field will also come together. Daniele Castrizio, Professor Ordinarius of Numismatics at the Dicam Bölümü of Messina Üniversitesi, will accompany the meeting with his valuable contributions. The opening speech of the conference will be given by Prof. Amos Martino, Head of the Anassilaos 'Glauco di Reggio' Çalışma Merkezi. Additionally, Dr. Daniela Neri, Head of the host institution Pietro De Nava Kütüphanesi, will welcome the participants and officially address the event. This strong academic staff will create a highly fruitful discussion environment for visitors interested in historical and numismatic topics.

The period of I. Ruggero's county is an extremely complex era in which Southern Italy experienced profound political and cultural transformations. Coin minting is not only a tool that facilitates daily commercial economic transactions, but also an important symbol of authority, legitimacy, and political power. For this reason, the new findings that Aricò will present offer invaluable clues for us to understand the Norman Mediterranean policies and the global hegemony they gradually established. The event stands out as a unique regional cultural opportunity for enthusiasts of medieval history, archaeology, and numismatics. At the end of the meeting, an interactive question-and-answer session is expected to take place, where participants can ask more in-depth questions and exchange ideas with the experts.