Siglos of the Achaemenid Kings c. 490

Curator: These are Siglos coins, attributed to the Achaemenid Kings, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: They look so small and worn, but still hold a hint of power—like whispers from a vanished empire. Curator: As currency, they were integral to the administration of the Achaemenid Empire, used for trade and to pay soldiers, essentially financing their imperial ambitions. Editor: That image of the king—or hero—locked in eternal struggle is compelling. Does that pose tell a story of leadership, or perhaps resonate with ancient myths? Curator: It definitely taps into the heroic archetype, reinforcing the ruler's authority and the empire's might through familiar visual language. Editor: The image becomes less about the individual king, and more about the enduring idea of Persian power. Curator: Exactly. Their value lies in their circulation of imagery, less in their material worth. Editor: It’s amazing to think how these tiny objects shaped the world back then. Curator: Absolutely, these Siglos carry a weight far exceeding their size.