Twelve-and-a-Half Litrae of Agathokles,Tyrant of Syracuse c. 310

Curator: This is a coin, a "Twelve-and-a-Half Litrae," minted under Agathokles, the tyrant of Syracuse. It now resides in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's remarkable how much detail is packed into such a tiny object. The textures suggest a story, almost weathered, but still present. Curator: The coin is charged with symbolism; one side depicts a female head—possibly a representation of Syracuse—while the other features a triskeles, a symbol associated with Sicily. Agathokles utilized imagery to legitimize his rule. Editor: Precisely! Notice how the formal composition directs your eye to the central images. The use of high relief for the figures, and the shallow relief of the symbols, reinforces the intended hierarchy. Curator: We see power reflected in its function and how it was disseminated among the people. Editor: Its physical presence really bridges past and present. Curator: Indeed, a small artifact carries significant political weight.