ERMANNO A. ARSLAN (1940-2026)

Within the complex framework of ancient Italian studies, Ermanno A. Arslan (Verona, August 15, 1940 – Milan, May 31, 2026) represents the Northern perspective, characterized by close connections with other European archaeologies and a strong multidisciplinary approach. His education was fundamentally influenced by the Universities of Milan, Pavia, and Turin, where he studied under the guidance of fellow Lincean scholars Guido Achille Mansuelli and Giorgio Gullini, and later under the historian Mario Attilio Levi at the CeSdIR in Milan.

His intense cultural promotion and scientific research activities have flourished within Lombardy's most important museums, first at the Roman Museum in Brescia, then as Director of the Civic Numismatic Collections and the Civic Art Collections in Milan, and finally in the demanding role of Superintendent of the Sforza Castle from 1999 to 2005. In more recent years, he has served as Director of the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum in Milan, one of Europe's most extraordinary house-museums, which houses prestigious art collections while maintaining its character as a high-class residence. In this field, E. Arslan has achieved outstanding results in organizing countless exhibitions and scientific conferences, attested by over 500 publications.

In the field of Classical Studies, his contribution to numismatic research is fundamental, where he has assumed an international role as a member of numerous Academies (since 2003, a member of the Accademia dei Lincei) and as a teacher at the École Pratique in Paris, Today University in Tokyo, IULM, the Università Statale and the Università Cattolica in Milan, and finally at Sapienza University in Rome. He represented Italy for eleven years on the Commission Internationale de Numismatique , of which he was Vice President until 1997.

His special expertise in late Roman and Barbaric coinage has seen him play a leading role in the creation of the Repertory of Celtic Coin Finds in Italy and the Repertory of Early Medieval Coin Finds in Italy, as well as in the publication projects of the Catalogue of Lombard Coins from the Royal Collection of Rome, of coins from the excavations of Milan Cathedral and San Vincenzo al Volturno, as well as of the complex of "Gnostic" amulet tokens from the Synagogue of Capernaum (Israel). His contribution to the volume "Milan. Piazza Duomo before the Duomo" was fundamental, in which, through coin finds, the millennia-old history of the Milanese episcopal complex consisting of the cathedrals of Santa Tecla and Santa Maria Maggiore, and the baptisteries of San Giovanni alle Fonti and Santo Stefano alle Fonti are reconstructed.

E. Arslan combined his tireless and ongoing study of antiquity with uncommon qualities of sober humanity in leading international research groups, with constant attention and sensitivity to the diverse social and cultural contexts in which archaeologists operate, and with an ever-present ability to engage younger generations.

Georges adds:

To read the complete article, see:
The Fellow Ermanno Arslan, a distinguished archaeologist and numismatist specializing in late Roman and barbarian coinage, passed away on 31 May (https://www.lincei.it/en/notizie/fellow-ermanno-arslan-distinguished-archaeologist-and-numismatist-specializing-late-roman)

See also:
Addio al prof. Ermanno Arslan, un linceo italo-armeno da non dimenticare (https://www.incittagiovinazzo.it/2026/06/07/addio-al-prof-ermanno-arslan-un-linceo-italo-armeno-da-non-dimenticare/)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web