Stater of Tarsus under Datames c. 378

Curator: Here we have a Stater of Tarsus, commissioned under Datames, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums, its silver surface whispering tales of ancient power. Editor: It's small, but intensely evocative. The relief figures almost seem to strain against the coin's boundaries, hinting at something larger. Curator: The coin offers a glimpse into the socio-political landscape of the time. Notice how one side depicts a figure wearing a helmet. This imagery speaks directly to notions of power and control. Editor: Absolutely, and I see the other side depicts a deity or idealized figure. It speaks to how leaders projected identity and legitimacy through coinage, reinforcing not just economic but cultural power structures. Curator: Indeed. The choice of imagery, the distribution of the coins—it’s all part of a larger narrative about the politics of imagery in the ancient world. Editor: Examining this small artifact allows us to interrogate larger questions about representation, identity, and authority in the ancient world. Curator: Yes, it's a remarkable object, prompting us to consider the narratives and power dynamics embedded within it. Editor: A tangible reminder that even the smallest of objects can hold immense historical and cultural weight.