Hemidrachm of the Arcadian League, Megalopolis c. 195

Editor: Here we have a Hemidrachm of the Arcadian League, from Megalopolis. The silver coin, though small, feels like a window into ancient power. What symbols jump out at you? Curator: I'm drawn to the figure seated on what appears to be a throne. In iconography, seated figures often denote authority, judgment, or even divinity. What does it evoke for you? Editor: A sense of established order, a society with defined roles. But I'm curious about the figure's specific identity. Curator: Consider the context. The Arcadian League sought to unify various city-states. This figure likely represents a unifying deity or a personification of Arcadia itself. These symbols would have resonated deeply, reinforcing a shared identity across a diverse population. Editor: So, the coin isn't just currency, but a cultural touchstone. That's fascinating. Curator: Indeed, a small object carrying a heavy weight of cultural memory.