Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, Amphipolis c. 336

Curator: Here we have a Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, minted in Amphipolis. It's a silver coin, a weighty thing at over 17 grams. Editor: Intricate, isn't it? The wear and tear across its surface speaks volumes—it feels less like an artifact and more like a witness. Curator: The obverse shows Alexander depicted as Hercules, wearing the scalp of a lion. Propaganda through mythology, you know? Editor: Exactly! It's a deliberate construction of power. Hercules, a demigod, becomes Alexander's alter ego. Think about what it means to claim that lineage. Curator: And on the reverse, Zeus is enthroned, holding an eagle. Symbolism of rule and divine blessing combined. Editor: It’s a reminder that these images reinforced hierarchies of power and the divine right to conquer. This coin isn't just currency; it's a claim of dominance. Curator: It's funny how something so small can carry so much weight, literally and figuratively. Editor: Absolutely, and reminds us of how power, even in antiquity, sought validation through carefully crafted images and narratives.