Obol of Ecbatana under Alexander the Great, Ecbatana c. 311

Editor: This is an Obol from Ecbatana under Alexander the Great. It's incredible to hold something so small, yet so tied to a powerful figure from history. What symbols or meanings do you see embedded in this coin? Curator: The imagery carries a tremendous weight. On one side, we see Heracles, a figure adopted by Alexander, signifying strength and divine lineage. On the other, Zeus sits, representing authority. These weren’t just images; they were potent symbols legitimizing Alexander’s rule. What emotions do these symbols evoke for you? Editor: A sense of ambition and power, certainly, but also a kind of calculated manipulation of imagery. Curator: Indeed. It reveals how leaders throughout history have used recognizable cultural symbols to shape perceptions and reinforce their positions. These symbols are a collective memory, constantly reinterpreted. Editor: I never thought about how much these images would be so purposefully planned, it’s a powerful connection to the past.