Coin of Antiochos IX Kyzikenos of Syria, Sidon or Damascus c. 114 - 195

Curator: Look closely at this coin of Antiochos IX Kyzikenos of Syria. Think about its journey through time. Editor: It looks ancient, almost ethereal. You can see the wear and tear – the weight of history, quite literally. Curator: The fact that this artifact has survived millennia speaks volumes about the power structures represented on its surface. The artistry, likely commissioned to legitimize power, becomes a point of intersection between ancient rulership and our modern gaze. Editor: And think about the hands that made it, the labour involved in its creation. The material itself, its sourcing, refining. Each step tells a story. It's a fragment of a vast economic system, really. Curator: Absolutely. This object represents how those in power sought to define themselves and their rule, embedding their ideologies and influence in the very fabric of daily life. Editor: It's humbling, isn't it? A reminder of the continuous cycle of power, production, and interpretation. Curator: Indeed. An enduring testament to the complexities of human history.