Coin of Laodikeia ad Mare under Elagabalus c. 218 - 222

Editor: So, this coin, "Coin of Laodikeia ad Mare under Elagabalus," it looks worn and old, as you'd expect. I'm struck by how such a small object could tell such a big story. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This coin, like many others, served as propaganda. Elagabalus used imagery to project power and legitimacy. The depiction on the coin, likely of a local deity or mythological scene, aimed to connect his rule with the established cultural identity of Laodikeia ad Mare. Editor: Propaganda, even on something as small as a coin? Curator: Absolutely. Coins were a primary means of disseminating information and shaping public perception throughout the Roman Empire. Consider how its materiality and circulation influenced its message. Editor: That's amazing, I never thought of coins in that way before. It really puts the art in a new context. Curator: Indeed, it reveals the intersection of art, politics, and everyday life in the ancient world.