Coin of Aretas IV of Nabataea c. 9 - 40

Editor: This is a bronze coin of Aretas IV of Nabataea, a king, and it's housed here at Harvard. It's so small, yet it feels like it holds a whole world within it. What strikes you about this little piece of history? Curator: A coin isn't just currency; it’s a concentrated symbol of power. Consider the images chosen – the ruler's portrait perhaps, or a deity, each carrying deep cultural weight. How do these images communicate the values and aspirations of the Nabataean kingdom? Editor: I see what you mean! So, it's not just about what it was worth, but what it represented? Curator: Precisely. The very act of minting coins asserts authority. What stories do you think this coin could tell about the economy, trade routes, and the cultural identity of the people who used it? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It's like a tiny ambassador of a lost world. Curator: Indeed. The images and symbols echo through time, connecting us to a civilization.