Tetrobol of Philip II of Macedonia, Amphipolis c. 323

Editor: Here we have a silver tetrobol coin of Philip II of Macedonia. One side shows a regal head, and the other, a figure riding a horse. What can you tell me about this coin's significance? Curator: These coins weren't just currency; they were tools of political propaganda. Philip II used them to project power and legitimacy throughout his expanding kingdom. How do you think these images, circulated so widely, affected the collective identity of his subjects? Editor: It's interesting to think of money as a form of ancient media. So, the imagery would have shaped their perception of the ruler. Curator: Precisely. Consider the horse and rider, symbols of military might and aristocratic power, reinforcing a specific social hierarchy and the values it promoted. Examining the coin in this context helps us understand its active role in shaping Macedonian society. Editor: I never considered how much a little coin could communicate! Curator: It's a powerful reminder of how art, even in its most utilitarian forms, reflects and reinforces power dynamics.