Coin of Justinian I c. 538 - 539

Editor: Here we have a coin of Justinian I, a small bronze piece. It feels like a tangible link to a distant past. What does this coin reveal about its time? Curator: This coin isn't just currency; it's a carefully crafted piece of imperial propaganda. Consider how Justinian I used these images to project power and divine authority. What symbols do you notice? Editor: I see what looks like a portrait of Justinian on one side and some kind of symbol on the other. Curator: Exactly. The portrait emphasizes his status, while the symbol signifies Christian rule. Coins like these were essential in disseminating the emperor’s image and ideology throughout the Byzantine Empire. It's a powerful intersection of art, politics, and religion. Editor: It's amazing how much history can be packed into something so small. Curator: Indeed. It speaks volumes about the power of images and their role in shaping perceptions of leadership and belief systems.