Denarius of Septimius Severus c. 197

Editor: Here we have a Denarius of Septimius Severus. The coin is worn, but you can still make out the portrait. What’s striking to me is how this tiny object was a tool of imperial power. Curator: Precisely! Coins like these were carefully designed propaganda. How do you think this imagery functioned in portraying Septimius Severus to the public? Editor: I guess distributing the emperor’s image far and wide would create a sense of unity and authority. Curator: Yes, and consider the context. The late second century was a turbulent time in the Roman Empire. Severus needed to legitimize his rule, and controlling the visual narrative through coinage was crucial. It visually linked him to the stability Romans craved. Editor: So, the coin wasn’t just money; it was a political statement, constantly circulating! That’s fascinating. Curator: Indeed, a potent symbol of power in your pocket. Editor: I see the coin now as less an artifact and more a statement of how art can be used in politics.