Coin of Antiocheia Caesarea under Caracalla c. 2th - 3th century

Editor: Here we have a coin of Antiocheia Caesarea under Caracalla. It’s a small, unassuming object, but I wonder what it tells us about power and its representation back then. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This coin illuminates how imperial authority circulated. Coins weren't just currency; they were propaganda. Caracalla's image, disseminated widely, projected Roman power and control throughout the empire. How does that strike you? Editor: It's fascinating to think of something so small having such a big impact on projecting power and shaping perceptions of leadership. Curator: Precisely. The choice of imagery, the distribution networks—all served to reinforce Roman dominance, shaping social and political realities for those who used these coins daily. Editor: This has given me a lot to think about regarding the intersection of art, power, and everyday life in the Roman Empire. Curator: Indeed, it shows how art is entangled with social and political structures of its time.