New Publication: An updated corpus of Palmyrene Banqueting Tesserae
A. Kubiak-Schneider, R. Raja, J. Steding & J-B Yon's new book provides the first comprehensive revision to the study of banqueting tokens since the 1955 publication "Recueil des tessères de Palmyre", with 168 newly identified tesserae types, including numerous previously unpublished examples.
The Recueil des tessères de Palmyre (RTP), catalogued 1132 types of tesserae. The new publication, The Palmyrene Banqueting Tesserae: An Updated Corpus, building on the foundational work by Ingholt, Seyrig and Starcky in 1955, updates the original corpus with 168 newly identified tesserae types. Each new type is presented with detailed descriptions of motifs and inscriptions. The new corpus includes unpublished tesserae from the Palmyra Museum and a private collection in Damascus while also including all tesserae published since 1955.
The book examines the rich iconographic and epigraphic landscape of tesserae, which feature depictions of Palmyrene priests, deities, animals, and symbolic imagery, while also casting light on some of the individuals who financed these feasts. With extensive indices on the iconography and epigraphy of the new types, as well as a translation of the indices from the Recueil des tessères de Palmyre, this new corpus presents a comprehensive overview and systematic study of this overlooked yet revealing class of material culture, which provides a unique source for our understanding of Palmyrene religious life.
Find more about the book here.
Read more about the book series Studies in Palmyrene Archaeology and History here, including a full list of all books published in the series.
Full citation:
Kubiak-Schneider, A., Raja, R., Steding, J. & Yon, J-B. 2026. The Palmyrene Banqueting Tesserae. An Updated Corpus, Studies in Palmyrene Archaeology and History 14 (Turnhout: Brepols).