Coin of of Syracuse under Pyrrhos c. 278

Editor: This is a fascinating artifact. It's a coin from Syracuse under Pyrrhos, and I’m struck by the wear and tear. What can this small object tell us about the society that created it? Curator: This coin, though small, speaks volumes. Currency wasn't merely economic; it projected power and identity. Consider the figure of Pyrrhos himself – a warrior king whose ambition extended across the Mediterranean. What symbols are employed, and whose stories are prioritized? Editor: I see! It's not just about what the coin was worth, but what it *represented* to people. Curator: Precisely! And to whom? Pyrrhos's reign in Syracuse was brief and tumultuous. Who benefited from this representation, and whose voices are excluded? Editor: So, this coin is a piece of propaganda, in a way? Curator: It's a material manifestation of a specific power dynamic, offering us a glimpse into the complexities of identity, power, and cultural exchange during a period of intense political upheaval. Editor: That really shifts how I see it. It’s more than just an old coin. Curator: Exactly! And with each viewing we learn more.