Coin of Thyateira under Commodus c. 177 - 192

Editor: This coin of Thyateira, bearing the image of Commodus, it's… well, it’s seen better days! Its worn surface whispers stories, doesn't it? What do you see etched in its timeworn face? Curator: Ah, a tangible link to a flamboyant, some might say eccentric, emperor! Beyond the portrait, I see the ambition of a ruler trying to connect with local identities – Thyateira, in this case. Did it work? Well, the coin survived, didn’t it? A small monument, if you will, to a very large ego. Editor: So it’s more than just currency; it's propaganda, really. Curator: Precisely! And perhaps a lesson in the ephemeral nature of power, all contained in this little circle. Food for thought, eh? Editor: Definitely something to ponder; history in the palm of your hand.