Denarius of Elagabalus c. 3th century

Curator: Before us is a Denarius, a coin minted under the emperor Elagabalus, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It strikes me as worn, almost ghostly. The details are softened, as if time itself has blurred the lines of power and identity. Curator: Indeed. Elagabalus was a controversial figure, his reign marked by religious upheaval and social scandal. These coins were tools of imperial propaganda, circulating his image and authority throughout the Roman Empire. Editor: The effigy, despite its wear, suggests a certain flamboyance. The arrangement of the hair, the cut of the jaw, the way the details are crafted—all speak to a deliberate construction of imperial image. Curator: Precisely. This wasn't simply currency; it was a carefully curated message, reinforcing Elagabalus's position within a complex socio-political landscape. Editor: Seeing this denarius, I'm reminded of how objects, regardless of size, carry profound stories. Curator: A tangible link to a turbulent past.