Coin of Mithradates VI, Amisos (Pontos) c. 2th century

Editor: This is a Coin of Mithradates VI from Amisos, dating back to antiquity. What immediately strikes me is how these small objects carry so much history. What can we learn from its symbols? Curator: Indeed. Coins such as these are potent symbols. The imagery was carefully chosen to project power and legitimacy. The depictions, likely of Mithradates himself and perhaps associated deities or emblems of his kingdom, echo cultural memories of earlier empires. Editor: How does that imagery work, exactly? Curator: Consider how the symbols attempt to forge a link between the ruler and a divine mandate. These visual cues create a narrative, influencing perceptions of power and permanence. What feelings do these images evoke in you? Editor: I guess a sense of a ruler trying to connect himself to a grand tradition to bolster his own authority. It's fascinating how even such a small object was made to communicate so much!