Prutah of Alexander Jannaeus c. 103 - 176

Curator: Let's consider this Prutah, a coin of Alexander Jannaeus, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, it's like holding a tiny, weathered time capsule. I love the rough texture. It feels ancient and powerful, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed. Examining the coin through the lens of postcolonial theory, it is important to realize the power dynamics inherent in its creation as a tool of economic and political control in Jannaeus's kingdom. Editor: Absolutely, but I’m also seeing something elemental, you know? The patina and the worn details, they spark something primal. I'm struck by how a little piece of metal can carry so much. Curator: And it's not just the material. It’s a tangible link to the complexities of identity, governance, and resistance during that period. It makes me wonder about the lived experiences of individuals encountering this symbol of authority. Editor: It is easy to get lost in the abstract, but I find my mind drifting to the individual that made the coin, or the merchant that traded it. It’s like, this wasn’t just money; it was someone’s connection to their daily life. Curator: A poignant observation. I am left pondering the narratives of subjugation and power it embodies. Editor: And I find myself imagining the touch of human hands across centuries. Such stories in the palm of your hand!