Sestertius of Maximinus I 

Editor: This is a sestertius coin of Maximinus I Thrax. Looking at the two sides, it's incredible to consider the images as propaganda. How should we interpret this symbolic portrait of power? Curator: Well, consider the image of the emperor – the *imago* – as more than just a likeness. It's a carefully constructed message. What does the depiction of Maximinus I, and the figure on the reverse, evoke for you? Editor: I see a ruler and someone who almost looks like a god. I guess I feel their power. Curator: Precisely! The coin aimed to disseminate the emperor's authority. The *imago* becomes a tool of statecraft, solidifying his reign through visual association with strength and divinity. The symbols become part of the culture. Editor: That’s so interesting; it’s all about the message behind the image. Curator: Exactly, and that’s how these images carry emotional, cultural, and psychological weight over time.