Coin of Cremna under Caracalla 188 - 217

Editor: This is a Coin of Cremna under Caracalla, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's incredible to hold a piece of history like this. What can you tell us about it? Curator: Coins like this reveal so much about power and propaganda in the Roman Empire. Consider the image of Caracalla; how does its circulation and use influence public perception and reinforce his authority? Editor: So, it's not just a currency, but a political statement? Curator: Precisely! These coins are tools for disseminating imperial imagery and ideology throughout the vast empire. Did the people feel impacted by this symbol of power? Editor: I never thought about it that way. Thanks for shedding light on the social role of such a small object. Curator: My pleasure. Seeing art as part of larger social systems helps us understand its enduring relevance.