As of Philip I c. 244 - 249

Curator: This is a coin depicting Philip I, the Arab, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. The weight is 10.47 grams. Editor: There's a somber gravity to this piece, a weight that extends beyond its physical mass. Curator: It's fascinating to consider this coin within the political landscape of the Roman Empire. Coins were powerful tools for disseminating imperial imagery and ideology. How might the depiction of Philip I been received in different corners of the empire? Editor: Absolutely. And what did it mean for an Arab to hold such power? This image embodies the intersection of identity and authority, prompting us to question traditional narratives of Roman leadership and the role of race and ethnicity. Curator: It's a potent reminder of the complexities of power and representation. Editor: Indeed. Seeing it makes me think about who gets to be remembered and how.