As of Faustina II 161 - 176

Editor: Here we have a coin, "As of Faustina II," located at the Harvard Art Museums. Looking at it, I'm struck by how this small object, worn by time, once held so much value and power. What can you tell me about the role of objects like this in their historical context? Curator: Coins such as this were powerful tools of political communication in the Roman Empire. Images of rulers, like Faustina, were circulated widely, reinforcing their authority and projecting a carefully constructed image of power and virtue. Consider the intended audience: how do you think they would have perceived this image? Editor: I guess seeing her face regularly would normalize her power and maybe inspire confidence in the empire. It’s like ancient propaganda! I hadn't thought about it that way. Curator: Precisely. And the material itself – the bronze – speaks to its accessibility. It wasn't just the elite who saw these images. This makes one wonder about the impact and reception of those images within different levels of Roman society. Editor: That’s fascinating. I see how something so small could have such a large social impact. Curator: Indeed. It is a reminder that even seemingly insignificant objects can hold immense cultural and historical weight.