Sestertius in memory of Julia Titi under Domitian, Rome 90 - 91

Curator: This sestertius, a bronze coin, was struck in memory of Julia Titi during the reign of Domitian. It currently resides in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The patina is striking. The worn surfaces lend it a solemn air, a palpable sense of history embedded in the materiality itself. Curator: Indeed. The depiction on one side features a carpentum, a two-wheeled chariot, traditionally associated with transporting deities or, in this case, commemorating deceased members of the imperial family. Editor: The carpentum as a symbol is quite telling, isn't it? It speaks to the deification of Julia Titi, associating her with divine status and projecting imperial power and remembrance. Curator: The arrangement of the figures, the depth of relief—they all contribute to a sense of solemnity and reverence. Its circular form too adds a layer of completeness, a totality. Editor: It’s fascinating how this small object encapsulates grand symbolic narratives, and how close inspection unveils the social and cultural memory imbued within the coin.