Follis of Diocletian, Rome c. 296 - 297

Editor: Here we have a Follis of Diocletian. It's a Roman coin, and seeing it makes me think about power, empires, and legacies. What strikes you most about this coin? Curator: I see more than just an emperor's portrait. Diocletian's economic reforms, which this coin represents, had profound, complex social impacts. Who benefitted? Who was marginalized? What systems of power does this coin embody? Editor: That's a really interesting way to look at it. I was just seeing it as a historical artifact. Curator: Precisely. Examining the socioeconomic context helps us unpack its meaning. Every artifact tells a story beyond its surface. Editor: Right, power dynamics are visible even in something as small as a coin. Curator: Indeed. Considering such perspectives helps us better understand the impact even now.