Coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 295

Editor: This is a coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse, made by Agathokles himself. It’s so small, and worn, yet it feels weighty with history. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: I see the complexities of power and identity etched onto a tiny, portable object. Who is represented, who is omitted, and what narratives are being deliberately circulated through this medium? Editor: So, it's not just a coin? Curator: It's a statement. Agathokles, a self-proclaimed tyrant, is using the coin to legitimize his rule, control the narrative, and project an image of power. The question is, who does this narrative serve, and what are the consequences of that representation? Editor: I never considered how political something so small could be. Curator: Exactly. Even something like a coin can tell a story about power, control, and representation, offering a glimpse into the social dynamics of the past.