Coin of Ilium under Caracalla c. 2th - 3th century

Curator: This is a coin of Ilium, dating from the reign of Caracalla. It weighs just over 7 grams and currently resides in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels weighty, doesn't it? Not just in literal terms, but in the images pressed into the metal - the stern, almost haunted profile feels burdened. Curator: The depiction of Caracalla is significant here, particularly when considered alongside his brutal reign. Currency served not just as a medium of exchange but as propaganda. How does the image of the Emperor intersect with lived experience of his rule? Editor: Look at the repetition of forms! The laurel wreath echoes the curl of his beard, underscoring authority and imperial power. Think of the semiotics of coinage! What figures are omitted or included to further emphasize the ruler's position? Curator: Right. Analyzing the power dynamics inherent in portraiture is key. How did Caracalla use his image to both solidify his rule and, perhaps, obscure the violence enacted during his time? Editor: Precisely. It's more than a simple portrait; it's a carefully constructed representation of power, designed to resonate across his empire. Curator: A potent reminder of how visual imagery shapes historical narrative. Editor: Indeed, a material artifact brimming with cultural memory.