Coin of Hiketas, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 287

Editor: This is a coin of Hiketas, Tyrant of Syracuse. The green patina speaks of incredible age. What can you tell me about this intriguing object? Curator: This coin offers a lens into the complex power dynamics of ancient Syracuse. Consider how Hiketas, as a self-proclaimed "tyrant," chose to represent himself and his authority through this medium. What message was he trying to send, and to whom? Editor: So, the images on the coin are less about art and more about political messaging? Curator: Precisely. It's about understanding how rulers used art to legitimize their often-tenuous positions. Who was included, who was excluded, and what stories did these images tell about Syracusan society under Hiketas' rule? Editor: That's a very different way to look at a coin. I never thought about it that way. Curator: Examining art through power gives us insight into ancient societies.