Dupondius of Otacilia Severa 244 - 249

Curator: Here we have a Dupondius of Otacilia Severa, located in the Harvard Art Museums, a tangible link to the Roman Empire. Editor: It feels so worn, burdened by the weight of history, its coppery surface smoothed by countless hands and years buried in the earth. Curator: Otacilia Severa, wife of Emperor Philip the Arab, wielded considerable influence, as demonstrated by the production of coins bearing her image and name. Her image performs power. Editor: The materiality speaks to me of Roman infrastructure and economic might. Think of the mines, the workshops, the sheer volume of coins produced! It is about labor, power, and economy. Curator: Indeed, this coin highlights the complex relationship between gender, power, and representation in the Roman world; Otacilia's portrayal legitimizes her husband's rule but also establishes her as a figure of importance. Editor: The production and distribution of this coin—a material artifact—shaped and reflected Roman social and economic structures. The value of such an artifact is more than monetary. Curator: Examining the historical treatment of powerful women is always relevant. Editor: Agreed. To touch history is to understand it.