Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, Ake? c. 308

Editor: So this Tetradrachm, made during the reign of Alexander the Great, feels like more than just currency. It’s battered and worn, but the imagery still conveys power. What stories do you think it tells? Curator: It's fascinating how these coins function as propaganda. Consider how Alexander strategically utilized imagery – his own likeness depicted as Heracles, the powerful demigod – to project a specific persona, a narrative of strength and divine right across his vast empire. How might this influence subjects in distant lands? Editor: So it's not just about trade, it's about control through image? Curator: Precisely. The act of circulating these coins embedded a certain ideology. Who is included, who is excluded, and who controls the narrative are still crucial questions. Editor: That’s a really interesting perspective. I'll definitely look at ancient coins differently now. Curator: Art provides avenues for us to understand power dynamics throughout history and reflect on contemporary issues, too.