Tetradrachm of Alexandria under Diocletian c. 288 - 289

Editor: This is a tetradrachm of Alexandria under Diocletian. It's small, but incredibly detailed. What strikes me is how its very existence speaks to power, trade, and identity in Roman Egypt. What stories do you think this coin whispers? Curator: Exactly! Beyond its material value, this coin is a potent symbol. It circulated during a period of intense social and political transformation. How might the image of Diocletian, a figure of imperial authority, resonate with the local Alexandrian population who had their own complex relationship with Roman rule? Editor: I hadn't considered that tension. So, the coin isn't just about Diocletian's power, but also about how that power was perceived and negotiated within Alexandria? Curator: Precisely. Coins like these were tools of propaganda, but also objects of everyday life, constantly reminding people of the empire's reach and demanding negotiation. It's a dialogue in metal. Editor: That's fascinating. It shifts my perspective entirely! Curator: It's all about understanding the layers of meaning embedded within even the smallest objects.