Coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 317

Editor: This is a coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse. It’s quite small, but the imagery seems powerful. What symbolic readings might we draw from this? Curator: Consider the bull on one side. In ancient Sicily, the bull was associated with river gods and fertility. Does this evoke ideas of prosperity and divine favor? Editor: So, the bull might be a deliberate reference to the land's abundance and Agathokles's power to control it? Curator: Precisely. What about the portrait of Agathokles on the other side? What message does this pairing of symbols convey to its users? Editor: Perhaps it's about Agathokles's ambition to link himself with the land and its mythical power. I see the layers here. Curator: Yes, currency was more than just money; it was a statement. Editor: That’s fascinating. It’s amazing how much meaning can be packed into such a small object.