Decadrachm of Syracuse, by Euainetos, from the Naro Hoard, 1925 c. 400

Editor: This is a Decadrachm of Syracuse, by Euainetos. It's a silver coin. One side has a chariot, the other a woman's head. What statement was the artist trying to make by putting these two images together? Curator: It's less about a singular 'statement' and more about the power structures embedded within ancient societies. The chariot scene likely celebrates military victories, reinforcing the state's dominance, while the female figure likely represents a local nymph, a symbolic claim to the land's resources and identity. Editor: So, it's about power and ownership? Curator: Precisely. This coin isn't just currency, it's propaganda, subtly communicating ideas about control, gender roles, and the divine right to rule. What does that make you think about how power is expressed through art today? Editor: It makes me realize that coins can be loud and that we need to listen. Thanks. Curator: Indeed. Let's keep listening, always interrogating the hidden narratives behind images.