Hemilitron of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 310

Editor: Here we have a Hemilitron coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The green patina gives it a real sense of history, but the images are quite worn. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Coins like this weren't just currency; they were powerful propaganda tools. Agathokles, a man of non-aristocratic birth, seized power through military force. This coin, then, can be seen as an assertion of his legitimacy, particularly through the chosen imagery. What do you make of the Griffin on one side? Editor: I suppose it's a symbol of strength and power? Curator: Precisely! But consider the context: Syracuse was constantly at war. The griffin could represent their military might but also carries implications about tyrannical rule and the spoils of war extracted from its citizens. It pushes us to consider who truly benefits from displays of power. Editor: That’s a completely different way of looking at it. I’ll definitely remember that. Curator: Absolutely, it's a reminder that art always exists within a web of social and political relations.