About this artwork
Editor: Here we have a coin of Tomis under Commodus. It’s small, metallic, and feels very ancient. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This coin is a window into the cult of personality surrounding Commodus. Consider the portrait on one side: What image is being projected, and how might that reflect on his rule and the Roman empire's collective identity at the time? Editor: It's interesting to think of a coin as a form of propaganda. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It’s also a reminder of how even the smallest objects can carry layers of meaning and cultural memory.
Coin of Tomis under Commodus
c. 2th century
Artwork details
- Dimensions
- 6.74 g
- Location
- Harvard Art Museums
- Copyright
- CC0 1.0
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About this artwork
Editor: Here we have a coin of Tomis under Commodus. It’s small, metallic, and feels very ancient. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This coin is a window into the cult of personality surrounding Commodus. Consider the portrait on one side: What image is being projected, and how might that reflect on his rule and the Roman empire's collective identity at the time? Editor: It's interesting to think of a coin as a form of propaganda. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It’s also a reminder of how even the smallest objects can carry layers of meaning and cultural memory.
Comments
Share your thoughts