Coin of Antioch under Elagabalus c. 3th century

Curator: So, what do you think of this Roman coin from Antioch, featuring Emperor Elagabalus? It's a tiny thing, less than 4 grams, but bursting with history. Editor: It looks corroded, worn by time. Like a whisper from a culture that exalted power and then vanished. Who was Elagabalus anyway? Curator: A fascinating figure! A Syrian emperor, known for his devotion to the sun god Elagabal. His reign was controversial; he challenged Roman traditions, prioritizing eastern religious practices. Editor: Challenged or subverted? I see it as resisting the rigid norms of a heteropatriarchal society, right? He was definitely pushing back against the binaries of his time. Curator: Maybe both? He certainly disrupted things. But this coin, as a piece of propaganda, reflects his attempt to legitimize his rule. The image, the very metal, speaking to power. Editor: Power shifts, empires crumble, but these objects remain, bearing witness. They force us to reflect on what truly endures and the cost of challenging the status quo. Curator: Exactly. Holding this coin, I feel connected to the echoes of his reign, all the ambition and the upheaval, encapsulated in this tiny artifact. Editor: And I'm reminded that even on the smallest scale, resistance can leave an indelible mark, questioning who holds the power and how.