AR Elagabalus 

Editor: So, this is "AR Elagabalus," a small silver coin from the Harvard Art Museums, likely from the reign of the emperor himself. It's incredible how much history is packed into something so small. What strikes you when you look at this piece? Curator: It whispers of power, doesn't it? Elagabalus, a sun priest turned emperor, immortalized on pocket change. I imagine it jingling in the purses of Roman citizens, a constant reminder of his reign and, perhaps, his eccentricity. What do you make of the imagery? The solar deity on the reverse? Editor: I noticed that immediately. It's a direct link to his religious devotion, right? Almost like a personal brand. Curator: Precisely! It’s propaganda on a miniature scale. He's saying, "I am Elagabalus, emperor and priest of the sun!" A bold statement, especially considering his, let's say, unconventional rule. It's fascinating how personal and political identity intertwine on this tiny disc. Editor: That makes you think about how every object carries a narrative. Curator: Exactly, and even more so when its meaning is not immediately visible.