Coin of Herakleios c. 632 - 635

Editor: This is a gold coin of Herakleios by Abd-al-Malik from the Umayyad dynasty, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It's so small, yet the imagery is so potent. What hidden meanings do you see in this piece? Curator: The image itself is a powerful statement. We see a deliberate echoing and also disruption of Byzantine imperial imagery. Note the standing figures reminiscent of Heraclius and his sons. Editor: I see that now! Curator: Consider the cultural memory at play. Abd-al-Malik, adopting and adapting the visual language of his predecessors, creates a powerful symbol of continuity and a subtle declaration of a shift in power. What do you think that says about the role of imagery in power? Editor: It's a fascinating mix of respect and subversion, using recognizable symbols to assert a new order. I hadn't thought about it that way. Curator: Exactly. Visual symbols can carry profound weight, shaping our understanding of history and identity. It is something to keep in mind as we study art. Editor: Definitely. It all makes more sense now.