Denarius of Caracalla c. 214

Curator: Isn't it intriguing how such a small object can whisper stories of an empire? This is a denarius of Caracalla, a Roman coin now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s captivating! I find myself wondering who clutched this coin, dreaming of power and prosperity. You can almost feel the weight of history in its delicate form. Curator: These coins, minted during Caracalla's reign, served as propaganda, each side carefully designed. One side bears Caracalla’s laurel-wreathed portrait... Editor: And the other, a rather dashing figure—likely a deity? There's a sense of confident authority, almost a theatrical posture. The whole thing feels rather bold. Curator: Precisely. Coins like these offer us insights into the ruler's self-image and how he sought to project power, wealth, and divine association throughout the Roman world. Editor: Absolutely, and as a coin, it acted as a kind of social glue, binding distant parts of an empire through trade and taxation—materializing power, quite literally. Curator: A tangible representation of control, circulated amongst the masses. Amazing how an object like this can still speak volumes across millennia. Editor: Yes! Holding so much history in your hand... it’s really awe-inspiring to think about!