AR Caracalla 

Curator: Up next is an AR Caracalla. Its creation is attributed to Caracalla, though the exact date is unknown. It’s currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks... ancient, like something unearthed from the bottom of the sea, all faded and mysterious. Curator: Indeed. The very materiality of this artifact speaks to broader narratives of power, legacy, and the socio-economic structures of the Roman Empire. Editor: And the figure on the coin, so worn. It's as if the centuries have blurred his very essence. Curator: The image of Caracalla, replicated and circulated, served as a potent symbol of imperial authority and control, reinforcing established hierarchies. Editor: It's strange to think that something so small could hold so much weight, both literally and figuratively. Curator: Absolutely. The coin represents more than just currency. It embodies a complex tapestry of social, political, and economic dynamics. Editor: Looking at it, I wonder about the hands it passed through, the stories it could tell. It's pretty humbling. Curator: I agree, it offers a lens through which to examine themes of identity, power, and the enduring impact of historical legacies. Editor: Yeah, it makes you think about how even the smallest things can echo through time.