Large Coin of Antiochos IV Epiphanes of Syria c. 175

Editor: Here we have a Large Coin of Antiochos IV Epiphanes of Syria. Looking at this coin, it's amazing to think about who held it, what it bought, and the stories it silently witnessed. How do you interpret this work, and what stands out to you? Curator: For me, this coin whispers of power and ambition. Think of Antiochos, styling himself "Epiphanes"—God Manifest! It's almost comical. The coin's heft, the bold portrait... It's propaganda you can hold in your hand. Do you think he really saw himself that way, or was it just a clever ploy? Editor: Maybe a little of both? It's strange to think of someone designing their own mythology like that. Curator: Exactly! That tension, the space between the man and the myth, is where the real story lies. And it’s incredible to hold that story, literally, in our hands. Editor: I'll definitely be thinking about that "man and myth" idea next time I see a portrait.