Denarius of Q. Titius Mutto, Rome 90-87 BCE

Editor: This is a Roman denarius coin, made by Q. Titius Mutto. One side shows a male head, and the other a woman's head. What strikes me is how these small objects once held so much power and influence. What can you tell us about it? Curator: Well, this denarius, like many Roman coins, offers a lens into the prevailing social and political narratives. The use of idealized male and female figures, for instance, reinforces traditional gender roles and patriarchal power structures. Consider how this imagery served to legitimize Roman authority and perpetuate particular ideologies about gender and civic duty. How does this affect your perspective on its history? Editor: I guess I hadn't considered how something so small could reflect such big ideas. Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to question whose stories are being told, and whose are being left out of this historical record. This coin isn't just currency; it's a curated message. Editor: That’s a powerful way to look at it; it makes me think about the messages our own currency sends.