AR Elagabalus 

Editor: Here we have a coin of AR Elagabalus, artist is also Elagabalus, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It seems quite worn but the figure is still visible. What can you tell us about this object? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's a powerful statement of identity. Elagabalus challenged traditional Roman gender roles and religious practices. How does this coin, literally stamped with his image, negotiate power, gender, and religious authority in a society resistant to change? Editor: So, the coin was a way to make a statement? Curator: Precisely. It's a form of propaganda, forcing recognition of a non-normative identity onto the public sphere. Think about the symbolism embedded within it and how Elagabalus used imagery to establish authority amidst controversy. Editor: That’s an interesting take! I hadn't considered how personal identity could be so intertwined with political messaging. Curator: Exactly! Even small objects like coins can reveal much about identity, power, and resistance.