Coin of Berytos under Elagabalus c. 218 - 222

Editor: This is a Coin of Berytos under Elagabalus from the Harvard Art Museums, created by Elagabalus. It's impressive how much detail they managed to capture on such a small surface! What stories do you think it holds? Curator: Oh, this little coin sings a song of emperors and ancient cities! Notice the temple on the reverse? It speaks of Berytos, now Beirut, flexing its Roman muscles. Imagine Elagabalus himself, a sun-worshipping priest-king, commissioning this – almost like a mini-propaganda piece. Editor: So, it's not just money, it's a message? Curator: Exactly! Every emperor wanted to make his mark. Coins were their Instagram! What a thought! Editor: I will never look at coins the same way again! Curator: Me neither!