Denarius of C. Porcius M.f. M.n. Cato, Rome c. 123

Editor: This is a Roman Denarius of C. Porcius Cato, a small silver coin held in the Harvard Art Museums. One side shows a helmeted head, the other a figure riding a chariot. What do you notice in this piece? Curator: The imagery is powerful, isn't it? Consider the helmeted head – likely Roma, the personification of Rome itself. What emotional weight do you think that image carried for the people using this coin? Editor: It's a symbol of strength and identity, maybe a bit intimidating. And the chariot? Curator: That evokes military triumph, but also the games, the spectacles of Roman life. It’s a blend of power and cultural identity, constantly reinforced through everyday objects. Have our symbols of power changed much? Editor: Not really; we still use images to inspire and control. It's interesting to see those echoes across time. Curator: Indeed. The persistence of certain symbols reveals the enduring aspects of human psychology and cultural memory.