Antoninianus of Elagabalus c. 3th century

Editor: This is an Antoninianus, a coin minted during the reign of the Roman Emperor Elagabalus. The figure on the coin looks quite austere. How should we interpret his image in this piece? Curator: Elagabalus was a figure of immense controversy. His reign challenged Roman norms, especially regarding religious practices and gender roles. Think about how this coin, a tool for propagating the emperor's image, attempts to project power and legitimacy amidst societal tensions. What contradictions do you observe? Editor: I see the attempt at power, but the image still feels… fragile. Curator: Indeed. The coin reveals how power is always performed, negotiated, and often fraught with internal contradictions. It invites us to question the narratives of authority and consider the voices that have been historically marginalized. Editor: I never thought a coin could be so complex. Curator: Precisely! Objects like these are sites of cultural struggle, revealing the complexities of identity, power, and resistance.