Coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse c. 317

Editor: This is a Coin of Agathokles, Tyrant of Syracuse. It's small, but I see a face on one side, and maybe a lion on the other? What can you tell me about what this coin represents? Curator: Coins like this are fascinating because they weren't just currency; they were propaganda. Consider Agathokles's choice to depict himself – what statement was he trying to make about his power and legitimacy in a time of immense political upheaval? How does it perpetuate or subvert the conventions of male leadership through art? Editor: So, the coin is a way for him to show off. Like a brand for his reign? Curator: Precisely! And what does it mean to inscribe an image of power onto an object of exchange, one that literally passes through the hands of the populace? It's about control, yes, but also about shaping perceptions. Editor: That’s a really interesting take; I hadn’t thought about the power dynamics embedded in everyday objects like this. Curator: Exactly! The coin becomes a powerful site to examine how ancient leaders projected their identities.