Dodecadrachm of the Derrones c. 480

Editor: Here we have a Dodecadrachm of the Derrones. It's a striking piece. It feels like a tiny window into an ancient world. What can you tell me about it? Curator: These coins represent not just currency, but also the power structures of the Derrones people. Consider what it meant to depict a chariot scene on coinage. What message do you think they were sending about their culture and capabilities? Editor: So, the imagery was chosen deliberately to project power? Curator: Absolutely. And beyond power, think about the labor and resources required to mint these. Who benefited from this system, and who was potentially excluded or exploited? These coins are silent witnesses to social and economic hierarchies. Editor: That’s given me a lot to think about. It really highlights how art can be used to solidify social and political structures. Curator: Exactly! It is a great example of how art is entwined with power, identity, and social control.