Coin of Justinian I c. 547 - 548

Editor: This is a coin of Justinian I. It’s really worn but you can still make out the imagery. What strikes me is how much this small object speaks of power and authority. What’s your take? Curator: Absolutely. Consider Justinian’s deliberate projection of himself as both a military leader and a divinely sanctioned ruler. Can you see how the imagery reinforces established hierarchies and legitimizes his power through both force and faith? Editor: I do. It makes me think about the relationship between rulers and their image. Curator: Precisely! How rulers controlled and disseminated their images to control their narrative. Editor: That's a great point. Thanks for clarifying all this. Curator: Of course. Thinking about the ways art reinforces authority is essential to thinking critically about it.