Coin of Timoleon, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 344

Editor: Here we have a coin of Timoleon, Tyrant of Syracuse, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums. It's a weighty little thing, about 18.52 grams, and covered in a patina that hints at its great age. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Consider the horse. In classical iconography, it embodies power, freedom, but also control. What emotional resonance might a horse have for a population under a tyrant’s rule? Is it a symbol of aspiration, or perhaps a reminder of subjugation? Editor: So the imagery isn't just aesthetic, but also potentially a complex political statement? Curator: Precisely. And the tyrant, Timoleon, using it as a personal signifier is a compelling way to think about how rulers manipulate symbols for their own narratives. Editor: That definitely gives me a new perspective on the coin. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. A potent reminder of the enduring power of symbols in shaping our understanding of the past.