Coin of Cleopatra Thea and Antiochos VIII of Syria, Antioch c. 123

Curator: Here we have a coin, quite unassuming at first glance, minted in Antioch, Syria. It features Cleopatra Thea and Antiochos VIII Grypos. Editor: It’s humble yet powerful, isn't it? You can almost feel the weight of history etched onto its surface. Curator: Absolutely. Coins were not just currency, but vital propaganda. The dual portrait is especially significant, hinting at a co-regency, a shared power dynamic. Editor: Cleopatra Thea! A formidable woman; mother and ruler. This coin broadcasts her legitimacy, even while tethered to a male co-ruler. The optics are fascinating. Curator: Indeed. The coin speaks volumes about power, legitimacy, and the complex interplay of images in shaping perceptions. Editor: And sometimes, as with this coin, what remains unsaid is just as important. It sparks so many questions about the past.