Tetradrachm of Aesillas as Quaestor in Macedonia, Thessalonike 90 BCE - 70 BCE

Curator: Here we have a silver tetradrachm, issued by Aesillas during his time as Quaestor in Macedonia, likely around Thessalonike. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is the incredible detail for such a small object, especially in the hair of the figure on the obverse. Curator: Absolutely. That's likely Alexander the Great depicted, deified after his death and a powerful symbol in Macedonia. The reverse shows a club and a quaestor's chair, signifiers of power and office within the Roman Republic, overlaid with the name AESILLAS. Editor: It speaks volumes about cultural assimilation, doesn't it? Macedonian imagery subtly altered to fit within the Roman political framework of the time. The laurel wreath also stands out as a classic symbol of victory and status. Curator: Yes, and that visual blending is precisely the point. Power adapts, but also respects local iconography to maintain legitimacy. A fascinating look at how images are used to negotiate cultural identity. Editor: It really makes you think about what this coin meant to the people who handled it daily, navigating a complex world of shifting allegiances. Curator: Indeed. A small object, but a window into a much larger world.