MILIARESION Meaning and
Definition
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The term "miliaresion" refers to a historical Byzantine coin that was commonly used during the Byzantine Empire. It originated in the late 8th century and remained in circulation until the empire's fall in the mid-15th century. The word "miliaresion" is derived from the Latin word "miliaresium," which means "of a thousand" and denotes its value.
A miliaresion was a gold or silver coin that weighed around 4 grams, and its designs varied over the centuries, featuring emperors, religious symbols, or other related imagery depending on the ruling dynasty. The coin's primary purpose was to facilitate commercial transactions and serve as a unit of exchange within the Byzantine Empire's economic system.
As a high-value coin, the miliaresion was primarily used for large-scale purchases, trade, and taxation purposes. It held significant value compared to smaller denominations such as the follis or tetarteron, making it an essential currency for larger transactions.
Due to its long period of circulation, various minting styles and modifications of the miliaresion existed, reflecting changes in political and economic conditions throughout the Byzantine Empire's history. This coin played a crucial role in the Empire's monetary system, representing the stability and influence of the Byzantine economy during its reign.
Etymology of MILIARESION
The word "miliaresion" has its etymology rooted in Byzantine Greek. It is derived from the Greek words "milioi", meaning thousands, and "reson", which refers to a unit of currency. Thus, "miliaresion" literally means "a thousand of a resin", referring to the denomination of a Byzantine coin.
