Coin of Ptolemy III c. 246

Editor: Here we have a coin of Ptolemy III. It's quite small and worn, yet it still carries the weight of history. What can we learn from this artifact? Curator: This coin isn’t just currency; it's a carefully constructed piece of propaganda. Consider how the Ptolemaic dynasty used iconography to legitimize its rule in Egypt. How does portraying themselves with divine symbols reinforce their power in a multicultural society? Editor: So, it's less about economics and more about social control? Curator: Exactly. And how does this relate to modern expressions of power and identity? Think about the symbols we use today to construct narratives about ourselves and our leaders. Editor: That's a powerful connection! Thanks for broadening my perspective. Curator: My pleasure. It is crucial to question what symbols say and what they hide, then and now.