Coin of Mithradates VI, Amisos (Pontos) c. 2th century

Editor: So, this is a coin of Mithradates VI from Amisos. Looking at it, I'm struck by how much information is packed into such a small space. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s a potent symbol, isn’t it? The imagery speaks volumes. The grapes on one side likely represent Dionysus, a god of fertility and wine, and on the other side, you see symbols of power. How do you think these images would have been understood by people at the time? Editor: I imagine they were understood as representations of power and prosperity, that Mithradates was aligning himself with those ideas. Curator: Precisely. Coins were often used as propaganda, creating and reinforcing the ruler’s image, their values and claims. These symbols evoke not just an individual, but the very fabric of their cultural identity. Editor: It's fascinating how images on a coin can tell such a rich story. Curator: Indeed. Cultural memory is often embedded in the smallest of objects.