Coin of Antiochos II Theos of Syria, Sardis c. 261

Editor: Here we have a coin of Antiochos II Theos of Syria, from Sardis. What strikes me is how a small object like this can tell a big story. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's a carefully crafted piece of propaganda. It speaks volumes about the ruler's self-image and attempts to legitimize power in a diverse, often resistant, social landscape. We might ask, who was this image meant to impress and what anxieties might it have been masking? Editor: So, it's not just about economics but about power dynamics and social messaging? Curator: Precisely. Currency often becomes a canvas for projecting authority and cultural values. Examining it helps us understand the complex interplay between the ruler, the ruled, and the narratives they construct. Editor: That's fascinating! I'll never look at a coin the same way again.