Drachm of Mausolos, Satrap of Caria c. 367

Curator: This is a Drachm of Mausolos, Satrap of Caria. It’s a coin, and would have been used as currency. Editor: The worn surface and small size give it an intimate, almost secretive quality. I wonder what hands it passed through. Curator: As a piece of currency, it speaks to the mechanisms of power. Mausolos placed his own image on it, a clear marker of his authority. Editor: Absolutely, the depiction of a ruler's face—usually male—became such a potent symbol, reinforcing patriarchal power structures. Who are we meant to admire? What behaviors do we implicitly reward? Curator: The image on the reverse is also important. It depicts Zeus Labraundos, a local Carian deity. Editor: So, it merges imperial power with local religious iconography, a fascinating hybrid. Curator: Indeed. It tells a story of political ambition and cultural negotiation. Editor: The coin's design reflects the complex interplay between authority and cultural identity, and challenges us to consider how these elements are negotiated. Curator: It is a testament to the Satrap’s legacy. Editor: A small object with immense historical and cultural resonance.