Drachm of Antiochos II, (?) Syria c. 261

Editor: This is a Drachm of Antiochos II from Syria. It's a small, silver coin, and seeing both sides, I wonder what stories it could tell. What strikes you about it? Curator: It's fascinating how an object like this coin becomes a silent witness to power dynamics. Consider Antiochos II's title, "Theos," meaning "god." How does this declaration of divinity intersect with the political realities of his reign, especially concerning gender and power? Editor: Gender? I didn't think about that. Curator: Well, royal women in the Seleucid court wielded significant influence. This coin, then, isn't just currency. It is also a statement—perhaps even a negotiation—of identity and authority in a complex socio-political landscape. Editor: That is something I never would have noticed on my own. Thanks! Curator: It makes you think about all the silent negotiations embedded in history.