Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Probus c. 281 - 282

Editor: This is a Tetradrachm of Alexandria, made under Probus. It's small, with a green and brown surface that gives it a weathered look. What do you see in this artifact? Curator: It's a window into the complex power dynamics of the Roman Empire. Alexandria was a vital center, and this coin speaks to the emperor's reach and the city's role within that system. Who did this coin serve, and what burdens did it place upon them? Editor: Burdens? Curator: Consider the weight of taxation, the forced labor it might represent, and the inequalities it perpetuated. The coin represents not just commerce but the very real human cost of empire. Understanding that helps us interpret history more critically. Editor: That really makes me rethink how I see ancient objects. Curator: It should! Art and history are tools for questioning the present, and imagining a more equitable future.