Sestertius of Philip I 

Curator: This is a sestertius, a Roman coin, of Philip the Arab, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It appears quite worn, doesn't it? I’m struck by how tactile it looks, like it holds so many untold stories of hands that have held it across centuries. Curator: Indeed. The portrait on one side is of Emperor Philip I, himself. Coinage was a tool of imperial propaganda, conveying power through consistent imagery. Editor: And on the reverse, a figure stands, perhaps a deity, holding a staff. How potent, using religious symbolism to legitimize power, a classic move in empire building. Curator: Exactly. These symbols resonated deeply within the Roman psyche, reinforcing cultural norms and political structures. Editor: Looking at this, you realize how objects, even small ones, can crystallize entire power structures, ideologies, and the lived experiences of a time. Curator: That's why studying these symbols gives such a deep understanding of history. Editor: Yes, a potent reminder of how the past continues to shape our present.