Coin of Justinian I c. 533 - 537

Editor: Here we have a coin of Justinian I, and what strikes me is the assertion of power through imagery, even on such a small scale. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Absolutely. This coin speaks volumes about power, identity, and religious authority in the Byzantine Empire. Note the deliberate use of Justinian's portrait on one side, linking him directly to the Roman emperors, a potent claim of legitimacy. What do you observe on the other side? Editor: There are figures holding what looks like a cross. Curator: Indeed. It signifies the intertwining of imperial power and Christian authority. How might this coin have impacted the lives of ordinary people? Editor: I guess it would reinforce the emperor's image as a divinely sanctioned ruler. Curator: Precisely, shaping social and political realities by subtly encoding these power dynamics. It really prompts us to reflect on how symbols perpetuate authority. Editor: It makes me wonder about all the hidden agendas behind everyday objects.