Sestertius of Philip I c. 3th century

Editor: This is a sestertius coin of Philip I, the Arab. It's weighty, a copper color, and worn smooth. What do you make of its significance? Curator: Well, the very existence of this coin speaks volumes. Philip I, an Arab, rose to become Roman Emperor. What does it mean to have an "outsider" at the heart of the empire? How did his ethnicity shape his reign and the perceptions of his power? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It’s like a tangible piece of identity politics, so to speak. Curator: Exactly. This coin isn't just currency; it's a statement about power, identity, and the shifting sands of the Roman Empire. And it forces us to reckon with the complexities of race and belonging in the ancient world. Editor: I'll definitely look at Roman history differently now. Curator: Indeed, history is rarely what it seems.