The History and Significance of Oboli in Ancient Greece

Obolus (plural: oboli) is an ancient Greek unit of currency. It was a small silver or bronze coin that was used to pay for everyday purchases, such as food and drinks. The word "obolus" comes from the Greek word "obolos," which means "coin."

The use of oboli as a form of currency dates back to the 6th century BC, during the Archaic period of Ancient Greece. At that time, oboli were made of electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver. Later, during the Classical period (5th-4th centuries BC), oboli were made of silver and bronze.

Oboli were divided into smaller units called "drachmas," which were further subdivided into "oboloi." One drachma was equal to six oboli. The value of an obolus varied depending on the location and time period, but it was generally worth about 1/16 of a drachma.

The use of oboli as currency declined during the Hellenistic period (3rd-1st centuries BC), as larger denominations of coins became more common. However, the word "obolus" continued to be used in Greek as a unit of measurement for small quantities of money or other items.