Denarius of Julia Mamaea c. 226

Editor: Here we have a denarius of Julia Mamaea, of unknown date. Seeing this coin makes me wonder about the power dynamics at play in Roman society. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: This coin offers a lens into the construction of imperial female identity and power in the Roman Empire. The portrait of Julia Mamaea, mother of Emperor Severus Alexander, isn't just a likeness. Consider the inscriptions and the imagery on the reverse. They project ideas about her role in the dynasty, her virtues, and her influence. How does this compare to other depictions of women in power that you have seen? Editor: That’s interesting. So the coin is more than just currency, it's propaganda? Curator: Precisely! It’s a carefully crafted message about legitimacy and authority in a patriarchal society. It prompts us to question how female power was negotiated, represented, and ultimately, limited within those structures. It makes you rethink how we understand political power, doesn't it? Editor: It really does. I hadn't thought about it that way before.