Stater of Rhescuporis III of Bosporos c. 211 - 226

Editor: Here we have a stater, or coin, of Rhescuporis III of Bosporos, weighing in at 7.76 grams. The portraits feel so formal and distant. What do you see in this piece beyond just its face value, literally and figuratively? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about power, legitimacy, and cultural exchange. Rhescuporis III used coinage to project an image of authority, visually linking himself to both Roman imperial power and local Bosporan traditions. Consider the implications of that dual representation for maintaining control in a region at the crossroads of empires. Editor: So, the imagery isn't just about Rhescuporis as an individual, but about his place in a larger political landscape? Curator: Precisely. It's a carefully constructed narrative about rulership, designed to be circulated and consumed by a diverse population. Think about how these images would have shaped perceptions of Rhescuporis's reign, and the power dynamics at play in that process. Editor: It's amazing how much a little coin can tell us about power and identity! Curator: Indeed. This object provides a tangible link to the complexities of identity and rule in the Bosporan Kingdom.