Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, Babylon c. 325

Editor: This is a silver Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, from Babylon. It feels weighty, both literally and figuratively. What lasting symbolic power do you see embedded in it? Curator: Consider the lion scalp headdress. It isn't merely decorative; it's a direct appropriation of Heracles, linking Alexander to divine strength and heroic legacy. Doesn't it speak volumes about his ambition? Editor: Yes, that's such an intentional choice. And the seated Zeus on the reverse? It’s all so carefully constructed. Curator: Indeed! Zeus, holding an eagle, signifies authority, law, and cosmic order. This wasn't just currency; it was carefully crafted propaganda, promising stability and divinely sanctioned rule. Are we still affected by its imagery, do you think? Editor: Definitely. Seeing these symbols, knowing their context, makes this coin so much more than just money. Thanks!