Coin of Antiochos VII Eurgetes of Syria c. 2th century

Curator: Look at this small but mighty artifact, a coin minted during the reign of Antiochos VII Eurgetes, a Seleucid king of Syria. Editor: It feels like holding history in my hand, even just seeing the image. It has this heavy, almost mournful quality, don't you think? Curator: Absolutely. Coins were not just currency; they were powerful propaganda tools. This one likely depicts Antiochos, perhaps with a divine attribute, though the wear makes it hard to decipher. Editor: The material itself tells a story. Bronze, common yet resilient. It speaks to the everyday economics of an empire built on both grandeur and, well, exploitation of resources and people. Curator: Precisely. These coins circulated widely, touching countless hands, each transaction a small act within a larger economic and political structure. Editor: When I look at it I wonder about the people who held it. What did that bronze feel like in their hands? This simple object is a gateway into the lives of ordinary people of ancient Syria. Curator: It's a poignant reminder, isn't it? Beauty and history can be found in the smallest of things. Editor: Definitely, and it makes me think about what artifacts of our current era will one day tell similar stories.