Coin of Herakleios c. 618 - 628

Editor: Here we have a coin of Herakleios by Abd-al-Malik. It’s pretty small, but you can see imagery on each side. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This coin speaks volumes about cultural negotiation and power dynamics. Abd-al-Malik, an Umayyad Caliph, adopted the visual language of the Byzantine Empire. The figure on one side is likely Herakleios, but the text on the other side signifies a shift in power. How do you see that tension playing out? Editor: I guess it’s about taking over and demonstrating power? Curator: Exactly. Appropriation, reinterpretation, and asserting dominance are all at play here. It's a powerful statement of cultural and political change. Editor: That is a lot to unpack from just one little coin! Curator: It shows how closely linked artistic expression and sociopolitical change are.