Sestertius of Faustina II 161

Editor: This is a Sestertius, a Roman coin featuring Faustina II. It's amazing to hold something so old! What stands out to you about its imagery? Curator: I see a potent symbol of power and divinity. The chair on the reverse, likely representing a seat of honor, evokes ideas of authority and the divine right to rule, deeply embedded in Roman cultural memory. What do you think that imagery would have represented to the original owner? Editor: I guess it would affirm the Emperor's legitimacy and connection to the gods. It's like visual propaganda! Curator: Precisely. And consider how this image, replicated countless times, solidified that message. The chair becomes more than furniture; it’s an icon. What have you learned? Editor: That even small objects can carry significant weight and meaning through their symbols. Curator: Indeed. The persistent power of images to shape beliefs and cultural identities.