Coin of Edessa under Elagabalus c. 3th century

Editor: So, this is a coin of Edessa under Elagabalus. The wear and tear on such a small object is striking. What can we learn from this little artifact? Curator: Well, its creation embodies power, privilege, and identity. Elagabalus’s reign was marked by controversy surrounding gender and religious norms. This coin, in that light, becomes a material statement. Editor: A statement? In what way? Curator: Consider the image of Elagabalus: idealized, Roman, male. Yet, Elagabalus challenged traditional Roman values. Does the coin reinforce power structures even as his reign disrupted them? Editor: That's a lot to think about with such a tiny piece of metal. I hadn't considered the contradictions. Curator: Exactly! It opens a window into the tensions of that era.