Sestertius of Commodus c. 180 - 192

Editor: Here we have a sestertius of Commodus. It's worn smooth with age. What stands out is how this object, a tool of imperial power, becomes a fragile relic over time. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see an object laden with the complexities of power, gender, and identity. Coins like these were circulated as propaganda. Commodus, like many rulers, used his image to project strength and legitimacy. But what does it mean when that carefully constructed image erodes? It invites us to question the very nature of power. Editor: So, its deterioration complicates its original meaning? Curator: Precisely. The coin becomes a testament to the instability of even the most carefully constructed narratives. We can consider the coin as a starting point to a conversation about the fragility of power and its representations. Editor: I never thought a coin could tell such a complex story. Curator: Art often holds unexpected depths. It encourages us to examine history through a critical lens.