Coin of Hierapolis under Otacilia Severa 244 - 249

Editor: This is a coin from Hierapolis under Otacilia Severa. It’s small and quite corroded, but you can still make out the portrait. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: This coin is fascinating as a form of propaganda and a statement of power. Otacilia Severa, as empress, wielded influence in a patriarchal society. The coin is a symbol, but also a very concrete means to connect with people. How did she leverage her image to shape public perception and cement her authority? Editor: I guess using her portrait makes a statement in itself. It's literally putting a woman's face on currency. Curator: Exactly. Consider the symbolic weight of her image on currency. Who got access to it? How did its circulation influence concepts of governance, gender roles, and power structures within the Roman Empire? Editor: So, it's not just about the artistic skill but the broader political and social implications. Curator: Precisely. By considering those implications, we can move beyond the aesthetic qualities of the coin itself and understand its role in the historical construction of power. Editor: That's given me a lot to think about. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It's crucial to view art objects as participants in, not just reflections of, broader historical narratives.