Histamenon of the Augusta Theodora Makrembolitissa c. 1055 - 1056

Curator: This is a Histamenon, a Byzantine coin, of Augusta Theodora Makrembolitissa. The gold gleams, doesn’t it? Editor: It does. There’s something about its simplicity that strikes me. Two figures, regal and poised, conveying authority and perhaps, a plea for stability. Curator: The image presents the emperor with a representation of the Theotokos. Coins like this served as a propaganda tool and a signifier of economic health. Editor: It speaks volumes about the intersection of power, gender, and religious ideology in the Byzantine Empire, especially considering Theodora’s role and image on the coin. Curator: The politics of imagery are definitely potent here, shaping narratives of legitimacy and divine right. Editor: Exactly, and reflecting on these coins today, we gain insight into how these historical forces continue to resonate in contemporary discussions of representation and power. Curator: I agree. It's a small object that opens up a vast landscape of history. Editor: Indeed, a lens onto a complex past that shapes our present.